guilt-tripped; guilt-tripping; guilt-trips
: to cause feelings of guilt in (someone) : to try to manipulate the behavior of (someone) by causing feelings of guilt : guilt
How often have we been guilt-tripped into giving people generic birthday greetings on their walls even if they are just casual acquaintances?—
Michael Grothaus
Michael Grothaus
guilt-tripping
noun
Americans may be susceptible to moral and religious guilt-tripping, but they don't want a theocracy.
—Ellen Willis
Ellen Willis
plural guilt trips
: an instance of feeling guilty : a feeling of guilt or blame caused especially by another person's comment or accusation
give someone a guilt trip [=make someone feel guilty]
"You haven't talked to her in weeks, Mona." "Thanks for the guilt trip."—Armistead Maupin
Armistead Maupin"My waiter asked 'Now, do we want straws OR do we want to save the turtles?' and honestly we all deserve that environmental guilt trip"…—Rebekah White
Rebekah WhiteI cheated in school—and I cheated myself … I knew it was wrong. I was already on a serious guilt trip.—Art Schlichter et al.
Art Schlichter et al.Examples of guilt-trip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
On top of that, the poster's mother-in-law and sister-in-laws have been guilt-tripping her about her breastfeeding choices.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 28 June 2025
The following are the four most prevalent tactics narcissists employ to guilt-trip, as well as how to identify these patterns:
MORE FOR YOU
1.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Otherwise, this jealousy can escalate into toxic behaviors, like guilt-tripping you for making plans that don’t include them.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Mar. 2025
Don't try to justify your behavior, minimize your partner's feelings, or guilt-trip them.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Most language apps bore me to death, constantly repeat themselves, or guilt-trip me with aggressive notifications (looking at you, Mr. Green Owl).
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
Loneliness: An aging parent may guilt-trip or create drama as a way to get attention.
—Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Still, her refusal to drive is often met with guilt trips and criticism.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Her fateful decision proves to have great consequences, and Jude tracks her subsequent guilt trip with merciless humanity, echoing Rossellini’s Europa ’51.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
The hilarious comedian brings the heat (and the guilt trips) in her Hulu debut special, taking aim at husbands, kids, in-laws, and anyone who dares question an Indian mom’s wisdom.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 30 June 2025
That style is now the coin of the realm on the left: the guilt trip and temper tantrum as substitutes for arguments.
—The Editors, National Review, 11 June 2025
For example, saying no may be met with guilt trips, emotional withdrawal or a lingering sense of tension in the air.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The narcissistic parent might also guilt trip the child for expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs—accusing them of being too demanding or overwhelming, annoying, or stressing them out, even when a child clearly needs help or comfort.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 15 May 2025
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Verb
The first-time host has a novel plan to guilt-trip award winners into keeping things short and sweet.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
On top of that, the poster's mother-in-law and sister-in-laws have been guilt-tripping her about her breastfeeding choices.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 28 June 2025
The following are the four most prevalent tactics narcissists employ to guilt-trip, as well as how to identify these patterns:
MORE FOR YOU
1.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Otherwise, this jealousy can escalate into toxic behaviors, like guilt-tripping you for making plans that don’t include them.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Mar. 2025
Don't try to justify your behavior, minimize your partner's feelings, or guilt-trip them.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Most language apps bore me to death, constantly repeat themselves, or guilt-trip me with aggressive notifications (looking at you, Mr. Green Owl).
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
Loneliness: An aging parent may guilt-trip or create drama as a way to get attention.
—Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
Continue reading … OPINION TED JENKIN – America's tipping culture spirals from 15% to 30% as digital guilt trip kicks in.
—FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Still, her refusal to drive is often met with guilt trips and criticism.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Her fateful decision proves to have great consequences, and Jude tracks her subsequent guilt trip with merciless humanity, echoing Rossellini’s Europa ’51.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
The hilarious comedian brings the heat (and the guilt trips) in her Hulu debut special, taking aim at husbands, kids, in-laws, and anyone who dares question an Indian mom’s wisdom.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 30 June 2025
That style is now the coin of the realm on the left: the guilt trip and temper tantrum as substitutes for arguments.
—The Editors, National Review, 11 June 2025
For example, saying no may be met with guilt trips, emotional withdrawal or a lingering sense of tension in the air.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The narcissistic parent might also guilt trip the child for expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs—accusing them of being too demanding or overwhelming, annoying, or stressing them out, even when a child clearly needs help or comfort.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guilt-trip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guilt-trip. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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