Synonyms of guilty

guilty

adjective

ˈgil-tē 

as in ashamed

suffering from or expressive of a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing

she was burdened with a guilty conscience after ignoring the stranger's request for help

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ashamed
• embarrassed
• apologetic
• sorry
• shamefaced
• shamed
• remorseful
• blushing
• repentant
• regretful
• culpable
• contrite
• penitent
• sheepish
• blameworthy
• penitential
• rueful
• compunctious
• blamable
• chagrined
• hangdog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shameless
• unashamed
• unrepentant
• remorseless
• brazen
• impudent
• innocent
• blameless
• cheeky
• unapologetic
• impenitent
• guiltless

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

Recent Examples of guilty

The two defendants were found guilty of charges including traveling and training for terrorist purposes, and being part of a terrorist organization, APA reported. —CBS News, 28 May 2026

In January, Claustro pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud and resigned from the bench. —Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026

Fleming was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. —Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026

Anthony Milligan, 56, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Jackson County court Wednesday, according to a plea agreement document. —Caroline Zimmerman may 28, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026