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as in shame
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a sin to waste food when people are starving

Synonyms & Similar Words

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sin

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verb

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

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
The original maze with a soundtrack composed by the Grammy-winning guitarist will drop visitors onto a rural farm where scarecrows seek vengeance on homesteaders for their past sins against Mother Nature. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 July 2025 Cross spends his days reflecting on his sins and getting abused by caretakers. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 July 2025
Verb
Páramo is a perfect hypocrite, sinning freely and then heading to the confession booth to take advantage of his faith’s unlimited forgiveness policy. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2024 This is a man who has probably sinned more times and in more areas of life than any human not currently imprisoned. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for sin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sin
Noun
  • But this isn’t a clear case of good versus evil, or at least some members of Pike’s crew don’t see it that way.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2025
  • As the sun rose, the vermilion paint that decorates most Shinto shrines to ward off evil and misfortune began to shine dazzlingly.
    Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Parrilla has the more complex role; Bruiser is unprincipled and lacking in shame, yet generally correct and fair.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance Airports usually have accessibility services that are readily available, and for senior travelers, there should be no shame in taking advantage of them.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, the labor market has shown growing signs of weakness.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Until recently, in fact, many people considered empathy in a leader to be a weakness rather than a strength.
    Toby Lester, Harvard Business Review, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Cincinnati police say two men trespassed in Paycor Stadium overnight, with one accused of trying to steal a barbecue smoker.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Judd said that boaters are constantly violating trespassing laws in the area despite clear signs on properties.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This weekend also sees the release of some notable indie titles, including Ron Howard’s survival thriller Eden, Ethan Coen’s crime comedy Honey Don’t and the English language dub of the worldwide box office blockbuster Ne Zha 2.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • As the New York Times reported on Aug. 19, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington is investigating whether the crime stats were faked.
    Chris Brennan, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
  • In 1870, lawyers founded the City Bar to confront corruption in the courts under Tammany Hall.
    Muhammad U. Faridi, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Adams had been facing federal corruption charges but these were dropped by the Trump administration.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Edgecombe stayed locked in defensively, ran the floor, and never hung his head or held a pity party before getting back down the court.
    Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Elio’s personality is defined mostly by pity in the first act, as the poor kid’s insecurities turn potential new friends — Bryce (Dylan Gilmer) and Caleb (Jake Getman), who express an interest in joining his ham radio club — into bullies.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sin. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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