Guiltily: meaning, definitions and examples

😳

Add to dictionary

guiltily

[ˈɡɪltɪli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

feeling

In a manner that shows or suggests that one has committed a wrongdoing or is feeling guilty.

Synonyms

regretfully, remorsefully, shamefacedly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
guiltily	This word is used when someone feels guilt after having done something wrong or when caught doing something they shouldn't be doing. She looked at him guiltily after being caught sneaking a cookie from the jar
remorsefully	Use this word when someone feels deep regret or sorrow for something harmful or wrong they have done. It carries a heavier sense of wrong doing. She cried remorsefully after realizing the impact of her harsh words on her friend
shamefacedly	This word describes a feeling of shame or embarrassment about one's actions, often showing in someone's expression or demeanor. The little boy looked at the ground shamefacedly after being scolded for lying
regretfully	This word is appropriate when someone feels regret or sadness about something they have done, often wishing they could change it. He shook his head regretfully, knowing he had missed his chance to apologize

Examples of usage

He looked at her guiltily, knowing he had broken the vase.
She smiled guiltily, aware that she had eaten the last cookie.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

confessing

In a manner that indicates admitting or acknowledging one's guilt.

Synonyms

acknowledgingly, admittingly, confessingly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
guiltily	This word is used when someone feels guilty about something and their actions or words reflect this guilt. It often involves a sense of remorse. She looked at him guiltily after breaking his favorite vase. He guiltily admitted to eating the last piece of cake.
confessingly	Use this word for situations where someone is revealing or admitting something secret or wrong, often with a sense of relief or unburdening. She spoke confessingly about her fears of failure in the interview. He looked at her confessingly as he told her the truth about his past.
admittingly	This word is used when someone reluctantly accepts a fact or truth, often in response to being confronted. It has a tone of concession. He said admittingly that he hadn't prepared for the exam. Admittingly, she had underestimated the complexity of the task.
acknowledgingly	Use this word when someone is indicating that they recognize or accept the truth of a situation, typically without strong emotion. She nodded acknowledgingly when her mistake was pointed out. He smiled acknowledgingly as he admitted his role in the project.

Examples of usage

He confessed guiltily to stealing the money.
She guiltily admitted to cheating on the test.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'gylt', which means 'a crime or fault'.
It is formed by adding the suffix '-ily', which is used to make adverbs from adjectives, indicating a manner of acting.
Guiltily is related to the adjective 'guilty', which describes a person who has committed a wrong act.

Psychology

Feeling guilty can lead to changes in behavior, often resulting in a desire to atone or make up for the action.
Guilt is seen as a complex emotion that can motivate pro-social behavior, such as apologizing or seeking forgiveness.
Chronic guilt can negatively impact mental health, leading to anxiety or depression over time.

Literature

In many stories, characters experience guilt after making poor choices, leading to their development or redemption.
Classic literature often explores the themes of guilt and its consequences, such as Shakespeare’s 'Macbeth', where guilt haunts the protagonist after his deeds.
Modern novels frequently depict guilt as a catalyst for character growth, representing internal struggles and the quest for forgiveness.

Culture

Some cultures encourage open expressions of guilt as a way to facilitate community reconciliation.
In contrast, other cultures may discourage openly displaying guilt, as it can be seen as a sign of weakness or failure.
Cultural variations exist on what actions provoke guilt, often influenced by moral or ethical standards unique to each group.

Pop Culture

Guilt is a common theme in movies and television, often used to create tension or conflict between characters.
Songs frequently explore feelings of guilt in romantic relationships, emphasizing the emotional fallout of betrayal or regret.
Reality TV shows often spotlight the guilt that contestants feel when betraying alliances, showcasing human behavior under pressure.

Translations

Translations of the word "guiltily" in other languages:

🇵🇹 culpavelmente

🇮🇳 दोषी

🇩🇪 schuldig

🇮🇩 bersalah

🇺🇦 винувато

🇵🇱 winni

🇯🇵 罪深い (tsumibukai)

🇫🇷 coupablement

🇪🇸 culpablemente

🇹🇷 suçlu bir şekilde

🇰🇷 죄책감을 느끼며

🇸🇦 بذنب

🇨🇿 vině

🇸🇰 vinne

🇨🇳 内疚地 (nèijiù de)

🇸🇮 krivdno

🇮🇸 sekulega

🇰🇿 кінәлі

🇬🇪 დამნაშავედ

🇦🇿 günahkar

🇲🇽 culpablemente

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,180, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
29177 undercarriage
29178 mincing
29179 slenderness
29180 guiltily
29181 dosimeter
29182 premiership
29183 cruder
...