Definitions

guilt

[gilt] / gɪlt /

NOUN

blame; bad conscience over responsibility

Synonyms

STRONGEST

culpability disgrace indiscretion liability regret remorse responsibility shame sin stigma

STRONG

answerability blameworthiness contrition crime criminality delinquency dereliction dishonor error failing fault infamy iniquity lapse malfeasance malpractice misbehavior misconduct misstep offense onus penitence self-condemnation self-reproach sinfulness solecism transgression wickedness wrong

WEAK

malefaction peccability

Antonyms

STRONGEST

happiness honor irresponsibility pride respect satisfaction

STRONG

advantage behavior benefit blessing correction good goodness kindness manners obedience perfection right strength success virtue

WEAK

innocence

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.

Mark Edmundson is a professor of English at the University of Virginia and the author of “The Age of Guilt: The Super-Ego in the Online World.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Guilt and love are two of the most overwhelmingly powerful human emotions, and trying to endure either one alone is a losing game.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2025

But the Scottish star who has also appeared in Guilt, Shetland, and Dept Q, has revealed he spent some time considering the offer before agreeing to take part.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2025

Guilt 2: Our house needed to be renovated and we didn’t push back enough on our contractor, agreeing to things we didn’t need because we didn’t know.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 10, 2025

Guilt mingled with my despair as I thought of how I had fled into the dark while he faced Claudius’s guard, protecting me.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Vocabulary lists containing guilt

Beowulf vocabulary

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"The Moustache" and "Who We Really Are"

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Module 1: Vocabulary Video Words

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