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Guilt Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜”
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guilt

[ษกษชlt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

The fact or state of having committed a specified offense or crime.

Synonyms

blame, culpability, responsibility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
guilt

Guilt is an emotional state that arises when someone feels they have done something wrong or failed in some way. It is often used in personal and psychological contexts.

  • She felt a deep sense of guilt after lying to her friend.
  • The child's guilt was evident when he admitted to breaking the vase.
blame

Blame is assigning responsibility for a fault or wrong. It often has a negative connotation and is used when someone is held accountable for a mistake or wrongdoing.

  • The manager placed the blame on the team for the failed project.
  • He tried to blame his sister for the mess in the kitchen.
responsibility

Responsibility is the state of being accountable for something. It is often used in a broader, more neutral context to describe duties and roles, without the negative implication of wrongdoing.

  • He took full responsibility for organizing the event.
  • Parents have a responsibility to care for their children.
culpability

Culpability refers to the degree of responsibility someone has for a wrongdoing. It is often used in legal or formal contexts to determine how guilty someone is.

  • The court will determine the level of the defendant's culpability in the crime.
  • Her culpability in the company's financial mismanagement was undeniable.

Examples of usage

  • He admitted his guilt in the crime.
  • She was overcome with guilt for her actions.
  • The guilt of the defendant was proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Context #2 | Noun

emotion

A feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined.

Synonyms

regret, remorse, shame.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
guilt

This word is often used to describe the feeling someone has when they believe they have done something wrong or committed a transgression. It is also used in legal contexts to describe the state of being responsible for a criminal action.

  • She felt a deep guilt after lying to her friend.
  • The jury found the defendant guilty of all charges.
remorse

This word is similar to guilt but stronger, indicating a deep and painful sense of regret for wrongdoing. It often implies a desire to make things right or seek forgiveness.

  • She showed genuine remorse for her actions.
  • After the incident, he was filled with remorse and sought to apologize.
regret

This word is used when someone feels sad or disappointed about something they did or did not do. It focuses more on wishing the past could be changed.

  • He expressed regret about not attending the reunion.
  • I regret not spending more time with my family.
shame

This word describes the feeling of humiliation or distress that comes from being aware of one's actions being judged negatively by others or oneself. It often has a social aspect, where the person's actions are seen as disgraceful.

  • He felt a deep sense of shame after cheating on the exam.
  • The public scandal brought shame to the entire family.

Examples of usage

  • He felt a deep sense of guilt for betraying his friend.
  • She couldn't shake off the guilt of lying to her parents.
  • The guilt of not speaking up weighed heavily on her conscience.
Context #3 | Verb

action

To cause someone to feel guilty or remorseful.

Synonyms

accuse, blame, shame.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
guilt

Used when talking about the feeling one has after doing something wrong. It is a personal emotion that someone feels internally when they believe they have done something they shouldn't have.

  • She felt a deep sense of guilt after lying to her friend.
  • His guilt was evident in his eyes after he accidentally broke the vase.
shame

This word is used to describe a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior. It can also refer to an action that causes this feeling.

  • She felt a deep sense of shame after her mistake was revealed to everyone.
  • It's a shame that the project was canceled after so much work was put into it.
blame

Used when assigning responsibility for a fault or wrong. It is often used to point out who is at fault for something negative.

  • They blamed the weather for the delay in the game.
  • You can't blame him for the accident; it wasn't his fault.
accuse

This is used when one person or entity claims another person or entity has done something wrong or illegal.

  • The teacher accused the student of cheating on the exam.
  • He was accused of stealing money from the company.

Examples of usage

  • His words guilted her into apologizing.
  • She guilted him into helping with the chores.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Guilt helps people to recognize their mistakes and learn from them, encouraging better behavior in the future.
  • There are two types; one is 'adaptive guilt,' where you feel bad for others, while the other is 'maladaptive guilt,' which can be overwhelming and harmful.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, guilt is linked to moral standards and community expectations, influencing how individuals behave.
  • Some traditions view guilt as a necessary emotion to instill conscience and promote social harmony.

Literature

  • Literary works often explore guilt as a central theme, such as in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' where the protagonistโ€™s guilt leads to madness.
  • Many writers use guilt to develop characters, showing how this emotion can drive their actions and lead to dramatic consequences.

History

  • The concept of guilt has been debated for centuries, with philosophers like Aristotle describing it as essential for virtue.
  • Historically, legal systems used guilt as a major determinant of punishment and accountability in societies.

Science

  • Research indicates that feeling guilty activates specific regions of the brain, highlighting its emotional complexity.
  • Studies show that guilt can impact physical health, as chronic feelings may lead to stress and anxiety disorders.

Origin of 'guilt'

The word 'guilt' originated from the Old English 'gylt', meaning crime, sin, or moral defect. It has been used in English since the 12th century. The concept of guilt has been explored in various religions, philosophies, and psychological studies, highlighting its complex nature in human emotions and behaviors.

See also: guiltily, guiltless, guiltlessly, guiltlessness, guilty.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,323, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.