What is the opposite of “guilty”?

What is the antonym of “guilty”?

The antonyms of guilty are innocent and not guilty. These words convey the opposite meaning of being responsible or not responsible for a wrongdoing.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

innocent

Not guilty of a crime or offense; free from blame or fault.

Example

The defendant was found innocent of all charges and released from custody.

not guilty

Having no legal responsibility or culpability for a crime or offense.

Example

The jury declared him not guilty after examining all the evidence presented in court.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Innocent implies a lack of guilt or wrongdoing, while not guilty is a legal term that means there is insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• 2. Innocent can also mean pure or free from sin, while not guilty only refers to legal responsibility for a crime.

Good things to know

• 1. Legal Proceedings: Use not guilty in legal contexts to describe a verdict or plea.
• 2. Moral Judgment: Use innocent to describe someone who is free from blame or wrongdoing.
• 3. Everyday Conversation: Use these antonyms to express the opposite meanings of responsibility or blame.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of guilty are innocent and not guilty. While innocent implies a lack of guilt or wrongdoing, not guilty is a legal term that means there is insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Use these words in legal proceedings, moral judgment, or everyday conversation to express the opposite meanings of responsibility or blame.