GUILTY Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

guilty

adjective

ˈgil-tē

Definition of guilty

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 guilty After hearing the guilty verdict, Davis vowed to pursue an appeal. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026 The man found guilty of helping orchestrate the murder of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur over 30 years ago was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on Tuesday, ABC News reported. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026 Robertson pleaded guilty and waived a penalty phase, where a jury would recommend the death penalty or life in prison. — David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Damon Foy, 50, of Kerhonkson, pleaded guilty last week to second-degree murder in the 2024 death of Alberta Dale, 44, of Pennsylvania, according to the Ulster County District Attorney's Office. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guilty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilty

ashamed

Adjective

For a long time, Williams felt ashamed about having to use buy now, pay later for basic expenses.

— Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Zirin handily establishes that Zinn’s intention was to make readers feel empowered, not ashamed.

— Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of ashamed

Browse Nearby Words

guiltlessness

guilty

guise

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Guilty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guilty. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of guilty

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes