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

Coe was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty in 2015 to violating tax laws. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

Tanner Horner’s grandmother is expected to testify Thursday as defense attorneys continue presenting their case in the trial of the former FedEx driver who has pleaded guilty to killing 7-year-old Athena Strand. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026

Though Burke, like Rezko, was convicted, Duffy said the former alderman’s case illustrated there are many milestones in a defense attorney’s work beyond just trying to win a not-guilty verdict. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

In the aftermath of the scandal, Olivia Jade was dropped from these partnerships and took a break from YouTube, while her parents pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2026