sin 1 of 2

noun

ˈsin How to pronounce sin (audio)
Definition of sinnext
1
as in offence
a breaking of a moral or legal code a child old enough to know that lying is a sin

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2
as in evil
that which is morally unacceptable a minister who worries that modern society has abandoned the concept of sin

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3
as in sinfulness
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society a sordid section of the city that is mainly known for sin and degradation

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4
as in shame
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a sin to waste food when people are starving

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5
as in weakness
a defect in character my besetting sin is impatience—I hate to wait for anything

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sin

2 of 2

verb

as in to trespass
to commit an offense bless me, Father, for I have sinned

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sin contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sin are crime, offense, scandal, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

When could crime be used to replace sin?

The synonyms crime and sin are sometimes interchangeable, but crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When would offense be a good substitute for sin?

In some situations, the words offense and sin are roughly equivalent. However, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

Where would scandal be a reasonable alternative to sin?

While in some cases nearly identical to sin, scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is vice a more appropriate choice than sin?

The meanings of vice and sin largely overlap; however, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sin
Noun
With that said, the overall dearth of humor is a more damning sin. —Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2025 In a change election resulting in the closest popular vote since 2000, hypocrisy was a fatal sin. —Rob Richie, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
Páramo is a perfect hypocrite, sinning freely and then heading to the confession booth to take advantage of his faith’s unlimited forgiveness policy. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2024 This is a man who has probably sinned more times and in more areas of life than any human not currently imprisoned. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for sin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sin
  1. evil
  2. shame
  3. weakness
  4. trespass
  5. crime
  6. bad
  7. corruption
  8. pity
Noun
  • Valentin looking evil as hell in his green collar :) Chelsea’s bright yellow caftan is so hopeful and so sad, somehow.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, celebrates the beginning of spring and the the triumph of good over evil.
    — Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of evil
Noun
  • People give me hate and shame about that all the time.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
  • But that’s an allegory for his trauma, PTSD, guilt and shame.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of shame
Noun
  • However, economists say trade deficits aren’t a sign of national weakness.
    — Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The visualisations below make clear how Arsenal can attack Madrid’s areas of weakness.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of weakness
Verb
  • Why else would a man who just trespassed, exposed himself on national television (and apparently damaged an expensive stage curtain) simply be allowed to dress and address the press?
    — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Last year, Wheeler served two days in Vernon County jail on six trespassing convictions from 2020, 2022 and 2023.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station watch commander informed the Times no crime had taken place at the residence.
    — Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Pattinson will also soon star in Lynne Ramsay's Die, My Love alongside Jennifer Lawrence and Nick Nolte, and he's slated to headline Lance Oppenheim's crime thriller Primetime with Phoebe Bridgers.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of crime
Noun
  • While working together on The Unit, David Mamet once told you that good drama isn’t a choice between good and bad; good drama is the choice between two bads.
    — Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Reports out of fall camp haven’t been super favorable to their offense, and while the defense will, again, be top-notch, a team with this bad of an offense cannot be trusted.
    — Austin Mock, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
Definition of bad
Noun
  • The Trump administration is substantially scaling back the State Department's annual reports on international human rights to remove longstanding critiques of abuses such as harsh prison conditions, government corruption and restrictions on participation in the political process, NPR has learned.
    — Graham Smith, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Thao has since been indicted for bribery and corruption.
    — Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • The film doesn’t ask for sympathy for this family or present them as objects of pity.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • But Luca’s whole vibe doesn’t exactly invite empathy, and Fisk takes no pity on the guy.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of pity

Browse Nearby Words

simultaneousness
sin
since
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Cite this Entry

“Sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sin. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sin

Nglish: Translation of sin for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sin

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