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.

Jacob went on to achieve a first-class degree in criminology at Nottingham Trent University and published a book called "Right from Wrong: My Story of Guilt and Redemption".

From BBC • Jan. 6, 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

It has been almost 20 years since Shelby Steele published the best-known of his five books on race, “White Guilt: How Blacks and Whites Together Destroyed the Promise of the Civil Rights Era.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Guilt 3: We have spent another $60,000 this year on home projects alone.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 10, 2025

Guilt that he hadn’t been home yesterday or the day before to eat bologna sandwiches with Mr. Mosley.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Vocabulary lists containing guilt

Beowulf vocabulary

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Module 1: Vocabulary Video Words

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