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

Christian Maldonado, 23, pleaded guilty Friday in court to voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony, plus a gun enhancement. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty in his federal case on Friday. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025

Taylor, who did not participate in the series, pled guilty to stealing and signed a plea agreement that required her to pay victims back over the next three years, but Ward was not among those victims. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

Leiweke pleaded not guilty, and the Department of Justice reached a non-prosecution agreement with Oak View Group and another company involved, Billboard reported. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025