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

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 sinful Growing up in rural Tennessee, my grandfather learned that certain activities — card playing, smoking, imbibing — were sinful. Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025 The therapy was the most spiritual, calming and sinful experience of Ingrid’s life. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 16 July 2025 And then, on top of it, I was born out of some affair like some illegitimate, sinful mistake? Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 28 June 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
  • That suits its otherworldly and somewhat formal tone, which takes viewers deep into Japan’s mythical past for a quartet of eerie tales about lonely ghosts and vengeful spirits who bring supernatural justice to selfish and immoral humans.
    Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The committee voted to ask Attorney General Josh Kaul to opine on whether grooming falls under the statute related to immoral conduct, which allows DPI to revoke a license if an educator violates it.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But there are many other threats out there, like the evil wizard Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu) who attacks Yennefer’s forces in the climactic Battle of Montecalvo.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Forces of good and evil collide in a terrifying film where real-world challenges crash headlong into other worldly creatures and myths.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On Friday, two federal judges ruled that this pause is likely unlawful.
    Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
  • He is being charged in juvenile court with evidence tampering and unlawful gun possession by a minor.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Wicker Man boasts a conclusion that is one of the most haunting and disturbing climaxes to a horror film in any era, but the inclusion of Lee as the wicked Lord Summerisle is a casting coup.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Misiorowski had made Edman look foolish in their first matchup, getting the infielder to swing through a wicked curveball.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Players have faced vile fan reactions and even death threats for their failure to satisfy bettors in the moment.
    Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Minnesota Vikings condemned the vile racist message defensive back Isaiah Rodgers received following the team’s 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The boos were booming and vicious.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • This ad hoc ecosystem of technology is creating a vicious cycle where the very technology meant to solve problems ends up creating more.
    Daniel Kendzior, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Democrats are favored to win both gubernatorial races this year, so a GOP upset in either state would be a bad sign for the party currently locked out of power in Washington.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Nick Saban certainly made more good decisions than bad ones during his run to seven national championships as a college football coach.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos were looked at by many across the NFL as a dark-horse Super Bowl contender before the season started.
    Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Sor Juana’s verses confirm that venturing into the dating pool is always like stepping into a dark abyss.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sinful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinful. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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