original sin
noun
1
: the state of sin that according to Christian theology characterizes all human beings as a result of Adam's fall
2
: a wrong of great magnitude
the original sin of slavery
Examples of original sin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her original sin was simply not being French, with centuries-old anti-Austrian sentiment lingering just beneath the surface.
—
Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
Does this make for his original sin of being born in Boston?
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
In this way, Trump’s executive order reënacts the original sin of America’s child-welfare system.
—Kristen Martin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
How the fire was managed may be considered an original sin that sowed distrust and made the recovery much harder.
—Justin Worland, Time, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for original sin
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Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
Does this make for his original sin of being born in Boston?
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
In this way, Trump’s executive order reënacts the original sin of America’s child-welfare system.
—Kristen Martin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
How the fire was managed may be considered an original sin that sowed distrust and made the recovery much harder.
—Justin Worland, Time, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for original sin
Cite this Entry
“Original sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/original%20sin. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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