guilty

guilty

adj \ˈgil-tē\

guilt·i·erguilt·i·est

Definition of GUILTY

1

: justly chargeable with or responsible for a usually grave breach of conduct or a crime

2

obsolete : justly liable to or deserving of a penalty

3

a : suggesting or involving guilt b : aware of or suffering from guilt <guilty consciences>

— guilt·i·ly \-tə-lē\ adverb

— guilt·i·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun

Examples of GUILTY

1. Do you think he's innocent or guilty?
2. Will the defendant plead guilty or not guilty?
3. The children exchanged guilty looks.
4. He was acting like someone with a guilty conscience.
5. There's no need to feel guilty about it.

First Known Use of GUILTY

before 12th century

Related to GUILTY

Synonyms: ashamed, shamed, shamefaced

Antonyms: shameless, unashamed

Related Words: apologetic, contrite, penitent, remorseful, repentant, sorry; compunctious, regretful, rueful; penitential; blushing, chagrined, embarrassed, hangdog, sheepish; blamable, blameworthy, culpable

Near Antonyms: impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic, unrepentant; brazen, cheeky, impudent; blameless, guiltless, innocent

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See Synonym Discussion at blameworthy

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with GUILTY

kiltie, silty