a wave of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wave of guilt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a variety of contexts to suggest a sudden wash of intense guilt for something the speaker has done. For example: "She felt a wave of guilt wash over her; she had broken her promise and let her friend down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Vice

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A wave of guilt washed over me.

The New York Times

A wave of guilt washes over Govan.

The Washington Post

A wave of guilt washes over me.

The Guardian - Travel

To learn that they would be integrated into the community brought with it a wave of guilt and sorrow about the years they'd been shut away.

Vice

Several hours later, a wave of guilt came over her, a feeling that she had not done enough for her father, or for the human rights cause.

Vice

I've been thinking about this since news of the suicides at the Foxconn factory in China and other revelations about the disturbing details of Apple's supply chain produced a wave of guilt among Americans who can't imagine life without their iPhones, iPads and iPods.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

New Labour was propelled by a wave of liberal guilt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Underlying these conversations was a wave of immigrant guilt: the hard-wired need for the children of immigrants to prove that we weren't taking our opportunities for granted, and we could both make something of ourselves and connect deeply enough with our parents in a way that their journey and sacrifice were worthwhile.

HuffPost

There are no aliens; there is not even a Freudian wave of guilt driving the monster.

The New Yorker

I feel an immense wave of guilt.

Vice

Some days, as the car falls quiet, it starts - that crushing wave of guilt, frustration, despair that I believe many mothers can relate.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of guilt" to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of guilt, rather than a constant state. It's best used when the guilt is triggered by a specific event or realization.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of guilt" for minor feelings of regret. This phrase implies a strong emotional response; using it for trivial situations diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of guilt" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a verb. It describes an intense and sudden feeling. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, highlighting its use in expressing a specific emotional experience.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Vice

20%

Huffington Post

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of guilt" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of remorse or culpability. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for conveying strong emotions. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, demonstrating its versatility in both formal and informal settings. Remember to use this phrase when describing a significant emotional reaction, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Related phrases such as "a surge of remorse" or "a burden of guilt" offer alternative ways to express similar feelings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a burden of guilt

Emphasizes the oppressive nature of the guilt.

a surge of remorse

Focuses on the feeling of regret and sorrow.

a flood of regret

Similar to guilt, but focuses more on the past action and its consequences.

a pang of conscience

Emphasizes the moral aspect of guilt.

a troubled conscience

Highlights the internal conflict caused by guilt.

a feeling of culpability

Highlights the responsibility for wrongdoing.

a wash of contrition

Focuses on sincere regret and remorse for one's actions.

a sense of shame

Shifts the focus to the feeling of humiliation and disgrace.

a heavy heart

Describes a general feeling of sadness and regret, which can include guilt.

a weight on one's shoulders

Represents the burden of guilt or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of guilt" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of guilt" to describe a sudden, intense feeling of remorse. For example, "A wave of guilt washed over her when she realized the impact of her words."

What's a similar phrase to "a wave of guilt"?

Similar phrases include "a surge of remorse", "a pang of conscience", or "a feeling of culpability", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of guilt.

Is it appropriate to use "a wave of guilt" in formal writing?

Yes, "a wave of guilt" can be used in formal writing, particularly when describing emotional states in literature or psychological analysis. However, ensure the context warrants the intensity of the phrase.

What intensifiers can I use with "a wave of guilt"?

You can use intensifiers such as "intense", "overwhelming", or "crushing" to emphasize the strength of the feeling. For example, "an overwhelming "wave of guilt"".