Entry Word: guilt

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing <he was wracked with guilt after he accidentally broke his sister's antique grandfather clock>

Synonyms contriteness, contrition, penitence, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach, shame

Related Words compunction, misgiving, qualm, scruple; blame, fault, responsibility; chagrin, embarrassment; anguish, distress, grief, sadness, sorrow

Antonyms impenitence, remorselessness

2 responsibility for wrongdoing or failure <he was saddled with the guilt for the company's failure> — see blame 1