guilty

You feel bad because you think you have done something wrong or hurt someone.

• I feel guilty about the lie.
• He gave me a guilty smile.
• Do you ever feel guilty about wasting food?

How to use it: guilty about something (She felt guilty about the broken cup.); guilty about doing something (I felt guilty about leaving him alone.)

Similar words: ashamed, remorseful

Common phrases: feel guilty, guilty conscience, guilty about something

You are responsible for doing something wrong.

• I was guilty of lying.
• Both teams were guilty of wasting time.
• Who was guilty of breaking the window?

How to use it: guilty of something (He was guilty of a serious mistake.); guilty of doing something (I am guilty of ignoring her advice.)

Similar words: responsible, at fault, to blame

Opposites: innocent

Common phrases: guilty of something, guilty person

A court has decided that you committed a crime.

• The jury found him guilty.
• She pleaded guilty to theft.
• Two men were found guilty of the robbery.

How to use it: find someone guilty of something (The jury found him guilty of theft.); plead guilty to something (She pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.)

Similar words: convicted

Opposites: innocent

Common phrases: found guilty, plead guilty, guilty of something

You have done something dishonest, such as lying or cheating.

• She was guilty of cheating.
• The manager was guilty of deceiving customers.
• Were both players guilty of lying?

How to use it: guilty of doing something (He was guilty of hiding the truth.)

Similar words: at fault, to blame

Opposites: innocent

Common phrases: guilty of cheating, guilty of fraud