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.

Guilt, recrimination and blame won’t help now, and it can be counterproductive.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 28, 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 and shame can make these experiences difficult to verbalize or talk about, Mathai said.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2025

Guilt for having been away during the tragedy, mixed with the sense that things could have been so much worse.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2025

Guilt pervades me, I’ve been found out, but for what?

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Vocabulary lists containing guilt

Beowulf vocabulary

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"The Moustache" and "Who We Really Are"

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Module 1: Vocabulary Video Words

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