guilty pleasure

noun

: something pleasurable that induces a usually minor feeling of guilt

Examples of guilty pleasure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By the time our couple emerges bloody and blissful into the daylight, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma has done more than stump for guilty pleasures. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Executives and casting directors are happy to meet with the stars of their favorite guilty pleasures. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026

In addition to the stomach-churning process of watching the Dodgers try to seal their championship fate, there was also the guilty pleasure of watching a particular left-hander take the mound. — Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 2 Aug. 2026

There is still a pervasive assumption that these books are fluff, smut or secret guilty pleasures. — Katelyn Frey, The Conversation, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for guilty pleasure

• countermeasure
• displeasure
• leisure
• measure
• treasure