guilty

adjective

ˈgil-tē How to pronounce guilty (audio)
guiltier; guiltiest
Synonyms of guiltynext
1
: justly chargeable with or responsible for a usually grave breach of conduct or a crime
guilty of manslaughter
Does the defendant plead guilty or not guilty?
They were found guilty as charged.
2
a
: suggesting or involving guilt
The children exchanged guilty looks.
b
: aware of or suffering from guilt
guilty consciences
3
obsolete : justly liable to or deserving of a penalty
guiltily
ˈgil-tə-lē How to pronounce guilty (audio)
adverb
guiltiness
ˈgil-tē-nəs How to pronounce guilty (audio)
noun

Synonyms of guilty

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blameworthy, blamable, guilty, culpable mean deserving reproach or punishment.

blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

Examples of guilty in a Sentence

Do you think he's innocent or guilty? Will the defendant plead guilty or not guilty? The children exchanged guilty looks. He was acting like someone with a guilty conscience. There's no need to feel guilty about it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In July, Brown pleaded guilty to a count of affray at London’s Southwark Crown Court for attacking a music producer with a tequila bottle on the head. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 Brown’s friend Omololu Akinlolu (who performs as HoodyBaby), was also accused of grievous bodily harm for his involvement in the 2023 attack and pleaded guilty to a count of affray. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 Bolsonaro also called for amnesty for his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest after being found guilty of plotting a coup to overturn his defeat in the 2022 election. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026 Just last week, Peters pleaded not guilty to raping an underage girl after she was given alcohol while appearing on his livestream in 2025. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guilty

Word History

Etymology

see guilt entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of guilty was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing guilty

Rhymes for guilty

See All Rhymes for guilty

Browse Nearby Words

guilt trip
guilty
guilty as charged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guilty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guilty. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

guilty

adjective
ˈgil-tē How to pronounce guilty (audio)
guiltier; guiltiest
1
: having done wrong
2
a
: suggesting or involving guilt
a guilty manner
b
: aware of or suffering from guilt
a guilty conscience
guiltily
-tə-lē How to pronounce guilty (audio)
adverb
guiltiness
-tē-nəs How to pronounce guilty (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

guilty

1 of 2 adjective
guiltier; guiltiest
1
: having committed a crime : justly charged with a specified crime
guilty of larceny
2
: involving guilt or culpability
guilty knowledge

guilty

2 of 2 noun
1
: a plea of a criminal defendant who does not intend to contest the charges
2
: a verdict of a jury that believes the defendant committed the crime charged compare nolo contendere, not guilty, not guilty by reason of insanity
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