responsibly
Americanadverb
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in a sensible, trustworthy, and prudent way.
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in a way that reflects a duty or responsibility.
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“These pricing adjustments are one step in a broader effort we are taking to responsibly address those pressures and support Metrolink’s long-term financial sustainability.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
We need the companies and countries most committed to using AI responsibly to be the AI leaders.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
Huang said that such predictions are "not grounded in science", adding that it is in Nvidia's best interest to ensure the industry builds its products responsibly.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
“We are proud of our key leadership hires and continuous infrastructure upgrades and we have quickly scaled and remain focused on growing responsibly at the frontier of finance, tech, and culture.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
“Be polite, act responsibly, help clean up. Do not make me regret letting you go,” Lou Ann calls as I run out to Ana’s mom’s car.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
