Synonym Chooser

How is the word guilty different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of guilty are blamable, blameworthy, and culpable. While all these words mean "deserving reproach or punishment," guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

How are the words blameworthy and blamable related as synonyms of guilty?

Both blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy
an accident for which no one is blamable

When could culpable be used to replace guilty?

The words culpable and guilty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of guilty Brown pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal, and a judge sentenced him to serve between six and eight years in prison. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 Deiseroth has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence and resisting arrest without violence. David Goodhue october 24, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025 Mizuhara later pled guilty to fraud for stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani’s account. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025 Comey, accused of lying to Congress, pleaded not guilty earlier this week. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guilty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilty
ashamed
Adjective
  • According to the survey conducted earlier this year, 62% of teens reported that society has taught people to be ashamed of their periods, an increase from 2023.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Then future French actors and directors wouldn’t have to be ashamed of their own.
    Laura Cappelle, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Guilty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guilty. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on guilty

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