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 Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, of Lincoln Heights pleaded guilty in late April to one count of obstructing, impeding and interfering with law enforcement officers during civil disorder, the Department of Justice said in a news release. — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 He was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty Monday. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026 Justin Carreno, Cameron Thiers and Sophie Dennison-Gibby all pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearances last month. — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Serial killer Clifton Bloomfield unsuccessfully sought to withdraw guilty pleas after admitting to five murders in New Mexico to avoid capital punishment. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guilty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilty

ashamed

Adjective

This is classic Drake, turning the darker inner thoughts most people would be ashamed to admit into something almost beautiful.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2026
According to the Mental Health Foundation, almost one third of teenagers feel ashamed of some aspect of their body.

— Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 19 July 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of guilty

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