guilt
11 synonyms and 1 antonyms for guilt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The fact of having done something wrong; responsibility for an offense.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use guilt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English gylt ("guilt, offense, crime"), of uncertain further origin.
Full origin of guilt →Frequently asked questions
What does “guilt” mean?
The word “guilt” means the fact of having done something wrong; responsibility for an offense. In plain terms, either being responsible for wrongdoing, or the bad feeling that comes from believing you've done something wrong.
How do you pronounce “guilt”?
“Guilt” is pronounced gihlt (/ɡɪlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “guilt” in a sentence?
Here is “guilt” used in a sentence: “The evidence pointed clearly to his guilt.”
What is another word for “guilt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “guilt” include blameworthiness, culpability, guiltiness, noninnocence and uninnocence.
What is the opposite of “guilt”?
The opposite of “guilt” — its antonyms — is innocence.
What part of speech is “guilt”?
Depending on how it is used, “guilt” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “guilt” come from?
The word “guilt” comes from Old English. From Old English gylt ("guilt, offense, crime"), of uncertain further origin.
Is “guilt” a common word?
“Guilt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "guilt" and "shame"?
Guilt is a troubled feeling that you have done something wrong, focused on a specific act, while shame is a painful feeling about who you are as a person. You feel guilt over an action, but shame about yourself.
What is the difference between "guilt" and "regret"?
Regret is feeling sorry that something happened, which can include events outside your control, while guilt specifically involves feeling responsible for having done wrong. You can regret a missed opportunity without feeling guilt.
What is the difference between the legal and emotional meanings of "guilt"?
Legally, "guilt" is the fact of having committed an offence and being responsible for it. Emotionally, it is the troubled inner feeling of having done wrong. A court establishes the first, while a person experiences the second.
What is the difference between "guilt" and "guile"?
Despite sounding similar, they are unrelated. "Guilt" is responsibility for wrongdoing or the feeling that follows it, while "guile" means cunning or sly deceit. A person may act with guile yet feel no guilt.