cardinal sin
noun
: a very bad or serious sin in Christianity
—often used figuratively or humorously
Giving false information is a cardinal sin in news reporting.
He committed the cardinal sin of criticizing his boss.
Examples of cardinal sin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, failing to infuse this team with appreciably more talent in the coming weeks, and thereby denying the Pats a real chance to march through the gauntlet that is their 2026 schedule, would be a cardinal sin of contending.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Aside from looking like the whole thing was written and produced by her staff, Melania makes the cardinal sin of just being simply, butt-numbingly boring, especially in the forever-taking last act of sitting through the inauguration all over again in eye-drooping detail.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Steven made the cardinal sin of telling Sage to gain trust with her.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
In science, making up data is a cardinal sin.
—Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025
An attack by civilians on the army headquarters is the sort of cardinal sin the military is unlikely to forgive, regardless of clever lawyers and convincing legal arguments.
—Rafia Zakaria, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
To lose it is the cardinal sin in Hollywood.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The nutria’s cardinal sin, however, is gluttony.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
And the very thought of chucking a book into the garbage simply because of its unsightly cover, or lack thereof, is a cardinal sin.
—Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
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Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Aside from looking like the whole thing was written and produced by her staff, Melania makes the cardinal sin of just being simply, butt-numbingly boring, especially in the forever-taking last act of sitting through the inauguration all over again in eye-drooping detail.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Steven made the cardinal sin of telling Sage to gain trust with her.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
In science, making up data is a cardinal sin.
—Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025
An attack by civilians on the army headquarters is the sort of cardinal sin the military is unlikely to forgive, regardless of clever lawyers and convincing legal arguments.
—Rafia Zakaria, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
To lose it is the cardinal sin in Hollywood.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The nutria’s cardinal sin, however, is gluttony.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
And the very thought of chucking a book into the garbage simply because of its unsightly cover, or lack thereof, is a cardinal sin.
—Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cardinal%20sin. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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