sin 1 of 2

noun

ˈsin How to pronounce sin (audio)
Definition of sinnext
1
as in crime
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
Prop Ellis Genge was sin-binned for collapsing a maul — England's eighth yellow card in the tournament — and France was awarded a penalty try. —ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026 To soak up the sins of the early morning dancefloor, kudos must be paid to the 24-hour room service. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
The mothers were sometimes sent away to live in Magdalene laundries, where they were often cruelly abused: in these institutions, women and girls who were viewed to have sinned in some way were made to work for little or no pay, washing, ironing and mending locals’ laundry. —Jade Wilson, The Dial, 21 Oct. 2025 Many societies in the past have linked swearing to blasphemy or sin. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sin
  1. crime
  2. evil
  3. sinfulness
  4. shame
  5. weakness
  6. trespass
  7. violation
  8. bad
Noun
  • Actresses of a certain age are henceforth barred from investigating crimes on TV.
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Gatewood had been tasked with overseeing the Johnson administration's efforts to address the root causes of crime and violence in Chicago and coming up with a plan for public safety.
    — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • The spice is one of seven items placed on the table for Nowruz, and represents dawn pushing out darkness, and the triumph of good over evil.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The movie addresses metaphysical questions such as the egregore of a generation, the nature of evil, and the search for God in times of His absence.
    — PhotoVogue, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.
    — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
  • This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Definition of sinfulness
Noun
  • Where he is sited now is unlikely to gain much attention, and even fewer people are likely to come across him, which is a shame.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
  • After losing the Big 12 championship to Arizona Saturday night (no shame in that, the Wildcats are the 1-seed in the West region), Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars secured the 2-spot in the South and a date with Idaho in Oklahoma City.
    — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of shame
Noun
  • That's a break from the typical relationship that has tied elevated energy costs to market weakness since the Iran war broke out.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
  • In another post, Newsom said dyslexia isn't a weakness, but a strength.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of weakness
Verb
  • The city discourages trespassing on private property.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The area is considered an extension of the Naval Air Facility El Centro, and those who trespass on the militarized zone may face the same penalty as trespassing on a military base.
    — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • Maricopa County health inspectors cited nine metro Phoenix gas stations and markets for several priority food safety violations during the week of March 2.
    — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 19 Mar. 2026
  • By Rachel Smith Environmental groups said the state of Colorado is not doing enough to stop ongoing pollution violations from the Suncor refinery.
    — Rachel Smith, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of violation
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

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 Mar. 2026.

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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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