responsibly

American  

[ri-spahns-uhb-lee] / rɪˈspɑns əb li /

adverb

1. in a sensible, trustworthy, and prudent way.

2. in a way that reflects a duty or responsibility.

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Explanation

When you do something in a careful, trustworthy way, you do it responsibly. If you spend your money responsibly, you'll probably be able to save some of it. Acting responsibly is important in life — it's what makes people trust you, and it means you usually do things only after thinking them over and choosing what's wisest or most sensible. You can't get a driver's license until you prove you can drive responsibly. And, before someone hires you to babysit, they'll want to know you act responsibly. The Latin root is respons-, "answerable" or "offered in return."

Example Sentences

Regardless of what job you’re applying for, communicating that you know how to use these tools responsibly and in a way that makes you more productive is key.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Google, meanwhile, asserted that the case “misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.”

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The case, he said, “misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social-media site.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

“This case misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site,” said Jose Castañeda, a Google spokesman, in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Fwooper owners require licences, as the creatures must be handled responsibly.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling