sinful

adjective

sin·​ful ˈsin-fəl 

1

: tainted with, marked by, or full of sin : wicked

2

: such as to make one feel guilty

a sinful chocolate cake

sinfully

ˈsin-fə-lē 

adverb

sinfulness noun

Synonyms

• bad
• dark
• evil
• immoral
• iniquitous
• nefarious
• rotten
• unethical
• unlawful
• unrighteous
• unsavory
• vicious
• vile
• villainous
• wicked
• wrong

Examples of sinful in a Sentence

It is sinful to steal.

chastised by his minister for his sinful behavior

Recent Examples on the Web

In sermons, Morris has frequently told a story of finally overcoming his sinful past as a young man after God spoke to him in room 12 of Jake’s Motel in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 27 June 2024

Fort Worth’s reputation as the old Wild West largely stems from its dark and sinful history. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2024

Polarizing members of Congress believe national misfortune and natural phenomena are punishment for a sinful republic. —Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 18 June 2024

The ethics of morning The idea that sleeping late is sinful has deep roots in Western culture. —Constance Grady, Vox, 6 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sinful

adjective

sin·​ful ˈsin-fəl 

: marked by or full of sin : wicked

sinfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

sinfulness noun