Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

guilty-conscience

noun

ˈɡɪlti ˈkɒnʃəns

Definition

A feeling of guilt or remorse about one’s actions, particularly when they are perceived as wrong or morally questionable.

Examples

After lying to her friend, she was haunted by a guilty conscience.
His guilty conscience made it difficult for him to enjoy the celebration.
She constantly felt a guilty conscience for not speaking up about the unfair treatment.

Meaning

Guilty conscience refers to the internal emotional struggle a person experiences after realizing they have done something wrong or harmful, often accompanied by feelings of regret.