as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
chastised by his minister for his sinful behavior
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sinful
Sure, or shoplifting or anything that feels sinful or wrong.
—
Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
In New York, the story goes that the sloppily sinful sandwich on rye bread was named for the founder of New York’s Reuben Restaurant.
—Terry Ward, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
There have long been debates in churches about whether just listening to worldly music was sinful, let alone playing it.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2025
The brothers' cousin, Sammie, is torn between his father's advice to stay away from blues music — something his pastor father believes is sinful — and his talent for playing guitar.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sinful
Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
In New York, the story goes that the sloppily sinful sandwich on rye bread was named for the founder of New York’s Reuben Restaurant.
—Terry Ward, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
There have long been debates in churches about whether just listening to worldly music was sinful, let alone playing it.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2025
The brothers' cousin, Sammie, is torn between his father's advice to stay away from blues music — something his pastor father believes is sinful — and his talent for playing guitar.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sinful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinful
Adjective
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The long-term damage that an unqualified, incompetent, compromised or immoral — but superpowered — mayor can inflict on the city is too great.—
Steven Falk,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Tourism dollars flowed in, even if the prettified Southern history being sold ignored the immoral plague that built its riches in the first place.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Athena does a sapphire evil-eye look that is super-duper polished.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
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Even all of us people who hated the evil empire of Brady-Bill Belichick can’t help but secretly respect this version of the Patriots.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Federal authorities at the time said the man was arrested on suspicion of assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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We are confronted by an administration that is contemptuous of the Bill of Rights and engaged in unlawful acts of violence against us.—
Chris Mattei,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Jonathan Lekkerimäki’s next step Lekkerimäki electrified the Rogers Arena crowd on Saturday night with a wicked catch-and-release goal from the high slot to open the scoring against Toronto.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
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As Traitors host and executive producer, Cumming is diabolical, but there’s no sleep for the wicked.—
Jonathan Borge,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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How heartbreaking, and how vile, that any adult claiming compassion would seek to imbue a child with that extreme allergy to their own self.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
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The Diary again casts its eye far and wide for news, any news, that might distract us all from the vile toxicity emanating from Washington—make that Davos.—
Chop Choppish Shop,
Air Mail,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Though initial jobless claims hit their highest level in nearly two months last week, the move was largely attributed to a vicious and widespread winter storm that affected large parts of the nation.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
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As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In 2006, ahead of the Turin Olympics, Vonn took a bad fall during downhill training and went to the hospital.—
ANDREW DAMPF,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Attending a bad Super Bowl is the Super Bowl of communal experiences.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The activist also went full glam on her flight, looking radiant in bronzy makeup, complete with dark eyeliner, fluttery eyelashes, fluffy eyebrows, luminous skin, and glossy lips.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
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More dark, romantic beauty inspiration.—
Jesa Marie Calaor,
Allure,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sinful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinful. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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