guilty pleasure

noun

: something pleasurable that induces a usually minor feeling of guilt

Examples of guilty pleasure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Director Paul Feig’s movie doesn’t hit all the marks of its addictive source material, but the thing is plenty wild enough to be a holiday guilty pleasure. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025 That last one is a guilty pleasure for me, a show that makes the most of Sylvester Stallone's range. Chris McMullen, Space.com, 28 Nov. 2025 What is just one of those guilty pleasure holiday songs that a lot of people may not know is your favorite to sing? Essence, 23 Nov. 2025 Yet that’s all part of the mild guilty pleasure of it. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guilty pleasure

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guilty pleasure was in 1907

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Cite this Entry

“Guilty pleasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guilty%20pleasure. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

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