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Showing results for guiltless. Search instead for kiltless.
Synonyms

guiltless

American  
[gilt-lis] / ˈgɪlt lɪs /

adjective

  1. free from guilt; innocent.

  2. having no knowledge or experience; innocent (usually followed byof ).

  3. destitute or devoid (usually followed byof ).

    a house guiltless of any charm.


guiltless British  
/ ˈɡɪltlɪs /

adjective

  1. free of all responsibility for wrongdoing or crime; innocent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See innocent.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of guiltless

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; see origin at guilt, -less

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Vance was also, in effect, portraying the American military personnel who sank the boats as trigger-happy, prone to mistake a fishing boat for a drug vessel and feeling guiltless about doing so.

From Slate Sep. 18, 2025

The moment we were alone, the guiltless cherub mutated into Cerberus, screaming and scratching at me.

From New York Times Apr. 11, 2023

Even if we are not directly responsible for someone’s plummeting into destitution, are we guiltless if we refuse to erect adequate and durable safety nets?

From Seattle Times Apr. 14, 2022

Aside from her business arrangement, offering gifts to journalists is equally lax in guiltless rectitude.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 8, 2019

Luther Windham looked up with a stern, proconsular gaze that began to come apart around his eyes and mouth when he saw Bull’s bright and guiltless smile.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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