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

Pundits say college basketball Cinderellas are dead and that NIL and the transfer portal are guilty of their demise. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Dominguez, who appeared with defense attorney, Yolo County deputy public defender Daniel Hutchinson, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the killings of David Breaux, 50, and Karim Abou Najm, 20, in Davis’ Central and Sycamore parks in late April 2023. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Fleming pleaded guilty in August 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death and is set to be sentenced on April 29. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026

Just this week, one of the defendants in another $1 million SNAP fraud scheme run out of a Leominster restaurant, pleaded guilty in federal court. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026