GUILTS Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

guilt

noun

ˈgilt

Definition of guilt

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

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 The jury’s guilt-innocence verdict appears to be an assessment that Royal intentionally or knowingly caused Watkins’ death, but not during a robbery. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026 De Leon said her son was lucky to survive but still struggles with his injury and guilt. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026 Her entire section abides by the general expectations of realism, though her thoughts and feelings are warped by religious guilt. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 This version centers a guilt-racked and traumatized Odysseus—and leaves gods and fates, mystery and wonder largely out of the picture. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for guilt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilt

Noun

The character’s remorse and disgrace become a pivotal part of the movie’s third act, which ends almost entirely differently than Homer’s nearly 3,000-year-old tome.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 July 2026
The probable cause affidavit states that in an interview after his arrest, Lequerique expressed remorse, acknowledged the X account was his and admitted to altering images and searching online for similar material.

— Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Definition of remorse

Noun

The harder cases sound optimistic, proactive, collaborative, and even self-aware, while resentment, blame, negativity and a lack of accountability lurk just underneath the polished delivery.

— Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Especially when placing blame on the true miscreant is so easily avoided, just blame the Jew.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026