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
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
The stunts here are purportedly real, though, and each is tied, sometimes tenuously, to a cardinal sin.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
Bondi has committed the cardinal sin of embarrassing Trump.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 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.
—Peter Wortsman
july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
However, limiting sales to winners is a cardinal sin of managing a portfolio.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 July 2025
That has always been considered a cardinal sin in the sport.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
His cardinal sin was nationalizing (not expropriating) the hugely profitable Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in 1951 which British Prime Minister Winston Churchill postulated was integral to the British Navy.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2025
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Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The nutria’s cardinal sin, however, is gluttony.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The stunts here are purportedly real, though, and each is tied, sometimes tenuously, to a cardinal sin.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
Bondi has committed the cardinal sin of embarrassing Trump.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 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.
—Peter Wortsman
july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
However, limiting sales to winners is a cardinal sin of managing a portfolio.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 July 2025
That has always been considered a cardinal sin in the sport.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
His cardinal sin was nationalizing (not expropriating) the hugely profitable Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in 1951 which British Prime Minister Winston Churchill postulated was integral to the British Navy.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cardinal%20sin. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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