conscience-stricken
Tormented by guilt
Conscience-stricken describes someone tormented by guilt over something they've done or failed to do.
The conscience—that inner sense of right and wrong—has struck them, leaving them distressed: Conscience-stricken, she finally confessed to breaking the vase.
The word suggests acute, immediate guilt rather than vague unease.
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- guiltyResponsible for wrongdoing
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- penitentOne showing remorse
contrite · self-reproach · tormented · anguished · haunted · burdened · troubled · agonized
Psychological distress within oneself
- sleepless nightsProlonged inability to rest
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
anxiety · distress · mental anguish · restless · conflicted · tortured · wrestling · brooding
Acknowledging a wrongdoing
- confessingAdmitting to a fault
- atoningMaking up for wrongs
- making amendsCompensating for wrongdoing
- seeking forgivenessPursuing absolution from wrongdoing
repenting · compensating · restitution · owning up · coming clean · admitting · acknowledging · reconciling
Unethical or illegal action
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- sinViolation of divine law
- misdeedImmoral or illegal act
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
violation · betrayal · dishonesty · injustice · harm · offense · trespass · culpability
remorseful
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- guiltyResponsible for wrongdoing
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
penitent · contrite · self-reproach · tormented · anguished · haunted · burdened · troubled · agonized · plagued
inner turmoil
Psychological distress within oneself
- sleepless nightsProlonged inability to rest
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
rumination · anxiety · distress · mental anguish · restless · conflicted · tortured · wrestling · brooding · obsessing
apologizing
Acknowledging a wrongdoing
- confessingAdmitting to a fault
- atoningMaking up for wrongs
- making amendsCompensating for wrongdoing
seeking forgiveness · repenting · compensating · restitution · owning up · coming clean · admitting · acknowledging · reconciling · prostrating
wrongdoing
Unethical or illegal action
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- sinViolation of divine law
- misdeedImmoral or illegal act
ethical · violation · betrayal · dishonesty · injustice · harm · offense · trespass · culpability · responsibility
conscience-strickenunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
remorseless · shameless · unapologetic · guiltless · impenitent
conscience-strickenconscienceless
Having no moral sense
amoral · sociopathic · psychopathic · cold-blooded · callous
conscience, stricken, consciences, conscientious, conscientiously, conscientiousness, unconscionable, strike, struck