1
as in remorse
a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing
he was wracked with guilt after he accidentally broke his sister's antique grandfather clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
the chief financial officer was saddled with the guilt for the company's failure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guilt
Above all, Casey hopes her story helps others release guilt about their struggles.
—
Ashley Vega, People.com, 10 July 2025
Many people with hypersexual behaviors feel intense feelings of guilt and shame, which can affect their mental health.2
Experts aren’t sure what causes hypersexuality.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 9 July 2025
In both cases, as there was no misconduct, there were no apologies offered and no admission of guilt, in an effort to protect their reputations by refusing contrition for their journalism.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
Those who defend Combs, those who feel indifferent toward him, those who are convinced of his guilt, can all justify their reasoning through the fact of his proud megalomania, his relentless broadcast of his own name.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for guilt
Ashley Vega, People.com, 10 July 2025
Many people with hypersexual behaviors feel intense feelings of guilt and shame, which can affect their mental health.2
Experts aren’t sure what causes hypersexuality.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 9 July 2025
In both cases, as there was no misconduct, there were no apologies offered and no admission of guilt, in an effort to protect their reputations by refusing contrition for their journalism.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
Those who defend Combs, those who feel indifferent toward him, those who are convinced of his guilt, can all justify their reasoning through the fact of his proud megalomania, his relentless broadcast of his own name.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for guilt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guilt
Noun
-
Known for their efficiency and lack of remorse, the duo will kill anyone as long as the price is right.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
-
Awarding his character the poetry of remorse undercuts Vic’s arc as an animal that Quilla only thought was capable of love.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
This requires understanding people's natural defensive reactions when things go wrong and encouraging problem-solving rather than unproductive blame.—
Elaine Pulakos,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Online influencers who built their livelihoods on outrage and grievance wasted no time assigning blame.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
Something Beautiful is an album of soaring regret and fantasy, a pivot into the themes of late youth.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
-
Filled with grief, shame and regret after being confronted, Shalla-Bal flies off into space, leaving Earth.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Max was reportedly considering an exit from the team, and many believe the exit of the team's centerpiece scared the higher-ups into axing Horner. Both Max and Jos, however, deny culpability in the matter.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
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Eventually, the idea of contamination becomes more metaphorical, providing an image or a reference point for how Tabo’s culpability, and that of his mother, spreads to the three central characters.—
Katie Kitamura,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
That would be a shame, particularly given the importance previous United managers have placed on promoting the club’s own.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
-
The shame and fear and disgust that welled up inside me, the bullish resistance that struggled to quell it because this man would never hurt me, this man was never wrong.—
Meg Pillow
July 31,
Literary Hub,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guilt. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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