15 Other Ways to Say GUILTY | Synonyms for Guilty (Examples)

Feeling guilty is something everyone experiences at some point. Sometimes you might say someone is culpable, blameworthy, or even remorseful. These words can make your writing more interesting and accurate. In this article, we will explore 15 different synonyms for guilty and show you how to use them in everyday sentences.

15 Different Ways to Say GUILTY: Another Word for Guilty

Culpable

The word culpable means someone is responsible for a mistake or wrongdoing, often in a serious way. You can use it in formal situations, like writing or talking about legal or moral responsibility. It works when you want to show that a person is at fault without being too casual. Culpable often sounds more serious than just saying guilty. It also emphasizes accountability and can fit professional or legal discussions well.

• He was found culpable for the accident at work.
• The manager was culpable for ignoring the safety rules.
• Everyone agreed she was culpable in the project’s failure.

Blameworthy

Blameworthy describes someone who deserves criticism or blame for something they did wrong. It is a strong word to show moral or personal responsibility. Use it when pointing out that an action was clearly wrong and the person cannot avoid responsibility. This synonym highlights fault and accountability in a clear way. It is useful in conversations and writing about ethical situations.

• The driver was clearly blameworthy for the crash.
• His decisions were blameworthy and hurt the team.
• Everyone thought she was blameworthy for the misunderstanding.

Liable

Liable often relates to legal or financial responsibility. When you say someone is liable, you mean they can be held accountable for damage, debt, or injury. This synonym works well in formal discussions, contracts, or situations where rules or laws are involved. It emphasizes responsibility and obligation in a clear, serious way. Use it when legal or moral accountability is important.

• He is liable for paying the repair costs.
• The company is liable for any accidents in the office.
• Parents can be liable for their children’s actions.

At Fault

Saying someone is at fault is a simple way to show they made a mistake. It is casual and easy to use in everyday conversations. This phrase works in situations from car accidents to personal disagreements. It clearly points to responsibility without sounding too formal or harsh. Use it to explain who caused a problem in an easy, friendly way.

• She was at fault for spilling the coffee.
• The driver admitted he was at fault in the crash.
• Everyone agreed he was at fault in the argument.

Responsible

Being responsible means someone is accountable for their actions or duties. It is a common word that fits casual and formal situations. This synonym is versatile because it can refer to moral, legal, or practical accountability. It also sounds positive sometimes, as being responsible is often admired, even when discussing mistakes.

• He is responsible for finishing the report.
• The teacher held the students responsible for their homework.
• She felt responsible for losing the keys.

Answerable

Answerable describes someone who must explain their actions to others. It highlights the idea of being accountable and having to face questions or consequences. This word works well in workplace or personal situations where oversight or responsibility is involved. It adds a sense of obligation and shows that actions cannot be ignored or denied.

• The manager was answerable to the board for the mistakes.
• He is answerable for his team’s results.
• She felt answerable for the project’s delay.

Reprehensible

Reprehensible is used when an action is morally wrong and deserves criticism. It is stronger than just being guilty because it shows disapproval from a moral point of view. This word is often used in serious discussions or writing about ethical problems. It helps to emphasize that the behavior is not just wrong, but also blameworthy.

• His behavior was reprehensible in the meeting.
• The company’s actions were reprehensible to the public.
• She found his comments reprehensible and offensive.

Shameful

Shameful is used when someone should feel embarrassed or guilty about their actions. It expresses strong negative feelings toward a behavior. This word works in emotional or moral situations. It is a friendly way to describe guilt when talking about personal or social mistakes.

• It was shameful how he treated his friend.
• The decision was shameful and unfair.
• She felt shameful for lying to her parents.

Convicted

Convicted is mainly used in legal situations when someone is officially found guilty. It emphasizes legal responsibility rather than personal feeling. This synonym works in news, reports, or formal writing about law. It is very specific and shows that the guilt has been proven in a court.

• He was convicted of theft last year.
• The jury found her convicted for fraud.
• The politician was convicted after a long trial.

Penalized

Penalized means someone has been punished for wrongdoing. This word works in legal, sports, or school contexts. It emphasizes consequences rather than the feeling of guilt. It is useful when talking about rules and what happens when they are broken.

• The player was penalized for breaking the rules.
• The company was penalized for environmental violations.
• She was penalized for being late to work.

Remorseful

Remorseful focuses on the feeling of guilt and regret. It shows that someone is sorry for their actions. This word works well in personal situations or storytelling. It emphasizes emotion rather than legal responsibility, making it perfect for casual or heartfelt discussions.

• He felt remorseful for his harsh words.
• She was remorseful after the argument.
• They looked remorseful for breaking the vase.

Ashamed

Ashamed is used when someone feels guilty or embarrassed about their behavior. It is an emotional and personal way to describe guilt. This synonym is casual and easy to use in everyday conversation. It highlights the inner feeling of responsibility and regret.

• He was ashamed for lying to his friend.
• She felt ashamed about missing the meeting.
• They were ashamed of breaking the rules.

Erring

Erring means making a mistake or being at fault. It is often gentle and polite, good for formal and casual use. This synonym focuses on the act of making an error rather than strong moral blame. It is useful when discussing errors in judgment or behavior.

• The student was erring by skipping class.
• He admitted to erring in his calculations.
• She was erring when she forgot the appointment.

Complicit

Complicit means being involved in a wrongdoing, often with others. It shows shared responsibility and sometimes secret participation. This word is stronger than guilty alone because it includes cooperation or involvement. It is perfect for situations where multiple people are responsible for an action.

• He was complicit in the office fraud.
• She felt complicit in her friend’s lie.
• They were complicit in the plan to cheat.

Wrongdoing

Wrongdoing is a general way to describe an immoral or illegal act. It emphasizes the action rather than the feeling of guilt. This synonym works well in writing and speaking, especially when discussing behavior that is wrong. It is casual and easy to understand.

• The company admitted to wrongdoing in the report.
• His wrongdoing caused a lot of problems.
• She confessed to her wrongdoing honestly.

Final Thoughts

I hope this article has helped you discover new and easy ways to say guilty. Using words like culpable, blameworthy, or remorseful can make your sentences more interesting. Choosing the right synonym also helps you sound clear and natural. Next time you want to express guilt, you can pick a word that fits the situation perfectly and makes your writing or speech more lively.