Guilty Meaning
Guilty Definition & Usage
Having committed a crime or offense; deserving blame or punishment.
Examples
- "He was found guilty of fraud after a long trial."
- "She felt guilty about breaking the vase, even though it was an accident."
- "The jury declared the defendant guilty on all charges."
- "They were guilty of neglecting their responsibilities, leading to a disaster."
- "He admitted he was guilty of the accusations, but begged for a lighter sentence."
Feeling responsible for a wrongdoing or misdeed, often accompanied by remorse.
Examples
- "She felt guilty for not calling her friend back after their argument."
- "After yelling at his child, he immediately felt guilty and apologized."
- "I always feel guilty when I lie, even if it's a small one."
- "He was overwhelmed by guilty feelings after betraying his friend's trust."
- "It's natural to feel guilty when you hurt someone's feelings unintentionally."
Characterized by a negative consequence or outcome due to one’s actions.
Examples
- "The company was found guilty of environmental damage after the spill."
- "His guilty silence made it clear that he knew more than he let on."
- "The guilty party was quickly identified as the person who had left the door open."
- "She wore a guilty expression after missing the deadline."
- "The guilty nature of the project’s failure rested on poor management decisions."
Cultural Context
The concept of guilt is deeply embedded in both legal systems and moral philosophy. In the legal context, guilt refers to a formal judgment of wrongdoing, often following a trial or legal proceeding. Psychologically, guilt is a personal feeling of responsibility or remorse for an act or omission that is considered morally wrong. In many cultures, guilt plays a central role in regulating social behavior, often acting as a deterrent to wrongdoing.
The Guilty Verdict
Story
The Guilty Verdict
In a small town, there lived a man named Jack who had always been known for his honesty and kindness. But one fateful evening, a terrible incident occurred. The mayor's prized statue, a symbol of the town's heritage, was found destroyed in the town square. Jack, who had been near the statue earlier that day, found himself dragged into the investigation. Despite his protestations, the evidence pointed toward him, and whispers of guilt filled the town. 'He must be guilty,' they murmured, 'he was the last one seen near it.' Jack could feel the weight of the accusations on his shoulders, but he refused to confess to something he didn’t do. The trial was a blur of accusations, and Jack was certain the jury would find him innocent. Yet, when the verdict was read aloud, the word 'guilty' echoed in his ears. He was taken aback. How could this happen? He hadn’t destroyed the statue, but there he was, sitting in a cold cell, labeled guilty. His mind raced, searching for answers. It wasn’t until later that he learned the true culprit: the mayor’s assistant, who had orchestrated the destruction to cover up a much larger embezzlement scheme. In the end, Jack was exonerated, but the feeling of being guilty haunted him. He had been innocent of the crime but guilty of not speaking up when he had the chance to clear his name. He learned that sometimes guilt isn't just about committing a crime; it’s about the choices we make in the face of hardship. Jack later said to his friends, 'I learned something during those days — guilt doesn’t always come from what you’ve done, but from what you fail to do when the truth needs to be told.'
