What does blameworthier mean?
Blameworthier is the comparative form of blameworthy, meaning more deserving of blame or criticism. It is normally used when two people, actions, decisions, or circumstances are being compared, with the word indicating that one has greater fault, culpability, or moral responsibility. For example, a report might describe an official's deliberate deception as more blameworthy than another official's accidental oversight. The word carries a formal and strongly disapproving tone: it does not merely describe an error but suggests that the person or action deserves condemnation. It is comparatively uncommon in everyday speech, where writers may choose “more culpable,” “more at fault,” or simply “worse.” Despite its rarity, blameworthier is useful because it explicitly frames a moral or accountable comparison and avoids repeating a longer phrase such as “more deserving of blame.”
adjectiveMore deserving of blame, fault, or censure. It is the comparative form of blameworthy.
- The comparative of blameworthy: more deserving of blame, fault, or censure.
"The committee concluded that the official's deliberate deception was more blameworthy than the other official's oversight."
"Her decision to conceal the evidence was more blameworthy than his accidental mistake."
"The review described the board's repeated failures as increasingly blameworthy."
Sometimes the fairer comparison needs a sharper word: “more culpable” can become “more blameworthy.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does blameworthier come from?
Blameworthier is formed in English with the comparative suffix -ier from blameworthy, a compound of blame and worthy. The suffix -ier is native to English, while worthy descends from Old English weorþ, meaning “worthiness.” The same base also underlies blameless and the noun blameworthiness.
Related word forms
How blameworthier is actually used
This form is formal and relatively uncommon. Writers may often prefer the more familiar phrases “more culpable” or “more at fault,” especially in everyday discussion.