Guilty: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone who has committed a crime or done something wrong. It is often used in legal contexts and everyday situations to express a sense of wrongdoing.

• He felt guilty about lying to his friend.
• The jury found the defendant guilty of the crime.

Used mainly in legal or formal contexts to describe someone who is deserving of blame for a mistake or crime. It suggests a higher level of fault or responsibility.

• The investigation concluded that the driver was culpable for the accident.
• He was found culpable for the financial discrepancies in the audit.

Used when assigning responsibility for a negative action or event, often in formal or serious contexts. It implies a degree of moral or ethical fault.

• The manager's poor decision-making was blameworthy for the project's failure.
• Her actions were considered blameworthy by the committee.

Used to indicate someone who has a duty or obligation to something or someone, or who can be held accountable for an action, good or bad. It is generally neutral in tone.

• She is responsible for managing the team.
• They were held responsible for the damage caused by the storm.

Used when someone is responsible for a crime or bad action.

• He felt guilty after lying to his friend.
• The jury found her guilty of theft.

Used when someone feels deep regret or sorrow for their actions, usually with a strong emotional component.

• He was remorseful after hurting his friend’s feelings.
• She wrote a remorseful letter to apologize for her behavior.

Applied when someone feels embarrassed or humiliated because of something wrong they have done.

• She was ashamed of her poor performance in the exam.
• He felt ashamed after his rude outburst.

Typically used in a religious or formal context, this word describes someone who feels or shows regret for their sins or wrongdoings and seeks forgiveness.

• The penitent sinner sought forgiveness during confession.
• She gave him a penitent look and apologized for her mistakes.

This word is used to describe someone who has done something wrong or committed a crime, especially after it has been proven in a court of law. It can also be used in everyday situations to describe a person who feels responsible for a bad action.

• The suspect was found guilty of theft.
• I felt guilty for forgetting her birthday.

This term typically refers to a person who has been found guilty of a crime in a court and has been sentenced, often to prison. It emphasizes the legal status after the judgment.

• The convict was sentenced to five years in prison.
• As a convict, he faced many challenges reintegrating into society.

Use this term to describe someone who has committed a crime or an illegal act. It is commonly used in legal and formal contexts. Often, it doesn't specify whether the person has been convicted or not.

• The offender was arrested at the scene of the crime.
• First-time offenders may receive a lighter sentence.

This word is used to refer to someone who has carried out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act. It generally has a negative connotation and is often used in more severe circumstances.

• The perpetrator of the attack has not been identified.
• Police are searching for the perpetrator behind the recent string of robberies.