Synonyms for "guilty"
12 kid-friendly synonyms for guilty, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).
What does "guilty" mean?
The word guilty is an adjective that means: feeling bad because you did something wrong.
Example: "I feel guilty about lying."
Grade K–2Easy synonyms for guilty
Younger kids can use these in place of "guilty":
Grade 3–5Stronger words for guilty
For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:
Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for guilty
Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:
Opposites of guilty (antonyms)
Words that mean the opposite of guilty:
FAQ — synonyms for guilty
What is a good synonym for guilty in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try sorry. For older students, "ashamed" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does guilty have?
We list 12 grade-appropriate synonyms for guilty across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is guilty a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, guilty is used as an adjective.
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