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
Allow cancellation or returns without games; plainly state pro-rating or refund rules; provide easy access to invoices, history or data; and keep the tone respectful with no guilt language.
—
Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The rave has become a meeting place for soldiers on leave who no longer recognize themselves in their quiet lives, wounded veterans, civilians burdened by guilt, and young adults who know their days are numbered before mobilization.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 11 June 2026
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Still deciding whether they are truly allowed to claim it without guilt.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for guilt
Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The rave has become a meeting place for soldiers on leave who no longer recognize themselves in their quiet lives, wounded veterans, civilians burdened by guilt, and young adults who know their days are numbered before mobilization.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 11 June 2026
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Still deciding whether they are truly allowed to claim it without guilt.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for guilt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilt
Noun
-
Mother testifies on son's remorse Prosecutors also chose not to call any witnesses, and the defense ended after just one – Anthony's mother, Kayla Hayes.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
Kono’s statement acknowledging military coercion of women into front-line brothels paved the way for broader wartime remorse in 1995 and reshaped Japan’s relations with Asian neighbors.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
If family dynamics feel tender, step back from blame and set a simple house rule that gives you breathing room without closing your heart.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
A lot of the blame can go toward his split-finger, which is living in the middle or top of the strike zone too often.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
For Koji, change can’t come soon enough — the years of fighting for justice for his father have burdened him with guilt and regret.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
This majestic sequence delivers a lifetime’s outpouring of love’s inadequacies and frustrations, of grief and regret, of gratitude along with candid acceptance of loss, and of self-questioning that never shakes the foundations of the family—her ferocious commitment to the children.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The family’s companies have settled many accusations of environmental violations by agreeing to pay fines and invest in better pollution prevention without admitting or denying culpability.—
Molly Redden,
ProPublica,
8 June 2026
-
The chain of events that led to this moment is contested, with those involved denying culpability.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Most people don't develop body shame in a vacuum.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Ji-Na is open and confident while Fatima remains closed off, her shame about her sexuality deeply culturally ingrained.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guilt. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
