on the hook

ADJECTIVE

accountable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

answerable culpable liable obliged

WEAK

charged with obligated

Antonyms

STRONGEST

unaccountable

WEAK

blameless innocent irresponsible unreliable untrustworthy

ADJECTIVE

responsible

Synonyms

STRONGEST

answerable culpable guilty liable pledged subject

WEAK

at fault at the helm authoritative bonded bound bound to carrying the load censurable chargeable compelled constrained contracted decision-making devolving on duty-bound engaged executive exposed fettered hampered held high in authority in control incumbent minding the store obligated obliged open susceptive sworn to tied to blame under contract under obligation

Antonyms

STRONGEST

innocent right unaccountable

WEAK

excused exempt free immature immune irresponsible untrustworthy

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.

If people get hosed by, say, a bear market in stocks, taxpayers will end up on the hook supporting them anyway.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

The contracts do not make clear who is on the hook if the host committee cannot cover the costs.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

He went on a dealmaking spree last year that put OpenAI on the hook for some $600 billion in future spending commitments, and tied much of the tech sector’s success to OpenAI’s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

I was on the hook for the remaining $400.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

If he had only known it, the hot dogs, huckleberry pie, strawberry pop and worms squirming on the hook weren’t doing them much good.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

on the hook

Example Sentences

Related Words