Definition

Noun: - Remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense: A state of emotional distress or self-reproach arising from the belief that one has done something wrong or failed to meet a standard.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • His guilt feelings over the argument kept him awake at night.
  • She was consumed by guilt feelings after forgetting her friend's important event.
  • The therapy session aimed to address his deep-seated guilt feelings.

Advanced Usage

• "to be plagued by guilt feelings": to be persistently troubled by remorse.
  • He was plagued by guilt feelings long after the accident.
• "to assuage one's guilt feelings": to lessen or soothe one's remorse.
  • Donating to charity was her way to assuage her guilt feelings.

Variants and Related Words

• Guilt (n): The fact of having committed a specified or implied offense. Also used more broadly than "guilt feelings."
  • The court proved his guilt.
• Guilty (adj): Responsible for a specified wrongdoing; feeling or showing guilt.
  • She felt guilty for her harsh words.
• Guilt-ridden (adj): Filled with or characterized by guilt.
  • He led a guilt-ridden life after the betrayal.

Synonyms

• Remorse: Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.
• Self-reproach: The act of blaming or criticizing oneself.
• Contrition: The state of feeling remorseful and penitent.

Antonyms

• Innocence: The state of being not guilty of a crime or offense; lack of guilt.
• Impunity: Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.

Noun

1. remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense