1
as in remorse
a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing
he was wracked with guilt after he accidentally broke his sister's antique grandfather clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
the chief financial officer was saddled with the guilt for the company's failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 guilt
Rule is a writer torn between her sense of duty towards Ted Bundy’s victims and her own personal attachment and disbelief at his guilt.
—
Rebecca Hannigan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Why Moms Don’t Take Care of Themselves Between guilt, a lack of options, and that maternal pull toward caring for your kids, experts agree that when mom gets sick, most times pausing to rest and recuperate simply isn’t realistic.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026
If toxic productivity goals try to incite guilt, banish them — ideally with a nice nap.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
From statement kitchen islands clad in marble effect porcelain to entryway floors where guests can keep their shoes on without the guilt, this material delivers practicality and style in several spaces within a home.
—Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guilt
Rebecca Hannigan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Why Moms Don’t Take Care of Themselves Between guilt, a lack of options, and that maternal pull toward caring for your kids, experts agree that when mom gets sick, most times pausing to rest and recuperate simply isn’t realistic.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026
If toxic productivity goals try to incite guilt, banish them — ideally with a nice nap.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
From statement kitchen islands clad in marble effect porcelain to entryway floors where guests can keep their shoes on without the guilt, this material delivers practicality and style in several spaces within a home.
—Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guilt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilt
Noun
-
The film may initially present Man-su as a sympathetic family man trying to make ends meet, but Lee quickly subverts those sentiments once Man-su’s methodical process betrays no sense of remorse.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In the transcript, Neves Valente repeatedly refused to express remorse.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Israel and Hamas have traded blame over the violations of the deal.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
-
On the five-year anniversary this week, the White House launched a web page casting blame on Democrats, then-Vice President Mike Pence, and Capitol Police for the violence that transpired that day.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
So, the first step is to reach out to your son and express your regret about how things escalated and your concern for his safety.—
Hope Hunt,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Either way, for a union that promised so much to end in such acrimony should be a source of regret to both the club and the player.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the gulf between public opinion and civil culpability is vast, attorneys for the platforms say.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The clash over Wexner’s naming rights has emerged as a proxy PR war running parallel to the ongoing legal fight over Ohio State’s culpability for Strauss’ abuse—with the first of those cases scheduled to go to trial this fall.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Anger, relief, anxiety, numbness, shame—all of these are normal reactions.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
There’s no shame in a living room dance party.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guilt. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
