GUILTY Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'guilty' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of guilty are blamable , blameworthy , and culpable . While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing. // guilty of a breach of etiquette

Q: How are the words 'blameworthy' and 'blamable' related as synonyms of 'guilty'?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility. // conduct adjudged blameworthy // an accident for which no one is blamable

Q: When could 'culpable' be used to replace 'guilty'?

The words culpable and guilty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence. // culpable neglect

guilty

adjective

ˈgil-tē

Definition of guilty

as in ashamed

suffering from or expressive of a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing she was burdened with a guilty conscience after ignoring the stranger's request for help

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How is the word guilty different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of guilty are blamable, blameworthy, and culpable. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

How are the words blameworthy and blamable related as synonyms of guilty?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy

an accident for which no one is blamable

When could culpable be used to replace guilty?

The words culpable and guilty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of guilty Wyandotte County prosecutors announced that Shawn Harris, 39, pleaded guilty after initially entering a not guilty plea in July 2025. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 The football club was found guilty of 114 out of 115 financial charges from the Premier League from an investigation on a period between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Recently, Wahid was the lead defense attorney in the death penalty case of a Miami man who pleaded guilty to the horrific triple homicide of his estranged wife and her two young daughters. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026 In 2022, a jury found Holmes guilty on four counts of wire fraud and conspiracy. — Jade Tran, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guilty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilty

ashamed

Adjective

The wicker man’s superiority makes all the villagers feel ashamed.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Ben Affleck clearly isn’t ashamed to be a third wheel with best friend Matt Damon and his wife.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of ashamed

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guiltlessness

guilty

guise

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

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Synonyms of guilty

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