Guilt by association means attributing an individual's wrongdoing to another person or group simply because of their association. Synonyms of this phrase include guilt by affiliation, guilt by connection, and guilt by implication. Other similar terms that imply guiltiness based on association include vicarious liability, collateral damage, and tarring with the same brush. These phrases often have negative connotations as they suggest that an individual's reputation can be tarnished by their connections rather than their actions. It is important to recognize that such an assumption is unfair and can be detrimental to both innocent individuals and the larger community.