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 On appeal, the prosecution argued additionally that the guilty verdict should not be set aside because the lab’s detection of traces of a single chemical element common to gunshots was relatively inconsequential in the overall state case. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 Defense attorney Kevin Reddington has argued that Clancy, who pleaded not guilty, was suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis and is not criminally responsible, known as an insanity defense. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Jurors found Kevin Salazar, 32, guilty of the murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer Monday after a week-long trial. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Nathan Hochman as jurors found Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 32, guilty of murder. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guilty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilty

ashamed

Adjective

Policies that may make people feel judged or ashamed to use SNAP, therefore, cannot be evaluated solely by whether purchases of one particular product decline.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Matt Damon isn’t ashamed to be a bit of a Disney adult—and neither are his daughters.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 21 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of guilty

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