sins 1 of 2

noun

plural of sin
1
as in crimes
a breaking of a moral or legal code a child old enough to know that lying is a sin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evils
that which is morally unacceptable a minister who worries that modern society has abandoned the concept of sin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shames
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a sin to waste food when people are starving

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in weaknesses
a defect in character my besetting sin is impatience—I hate to wait for anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sins

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sin
as in trespasses
to commit an offense bless me, Father, for I have sinned

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sins
Noun
Fans of improv, musicals and audience participation will thoroughly enjoy this performance and should be prepared to repent for sins like eating a hamburger, owning too many snakes or yearning for a younger man. — Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026 Seven of our contributors gamely shared (some of) their secret sins. — Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026 Among Ashley’s many sins, none were more wicked than the alienation of club legends, particularly Keegan. — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026 That creates a dangerous possibility of AI as the ultimate seven-sins machine. — Regan Peng, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The big mic drop at the conclusion of the finale turns out that Paula is a stone-cold (if possibly accidental) killer after all, and that the shadowy Souter Group is going to make her pay for her sins. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 July 2026 The woman’s love and affection, as well as her genuine repentance, won his absolution of her sins. — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026 But there are plenty of sins against the rules of cinematic chastity that marked that movement, such as the ample space made for Lasse Aagaard’s affecting, low-key score that amps up the anxiety as Vibeke starts to spiral. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 Still, the tour doesn’t shy away from the mission’s sins over its 250 years, demystifying how supposedly carefree life was during the height of its operations before the United States conquered Mexico. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Verb
John DeWitt, the four-star general who oversaw the internment program, in particular, seems to be a forerunner to some of America's worst errors, paranoia, sins. — Philip Elliott, Time, 1 Dec. 2025 God’s likeness, which is our true, spiritual identity, never sins and is never punished. — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sins
  1. crimes
  2. evils
  3. shames
  4. weaknesses
  5. falls
  6. violations
  7. wrongs
  8. faults
Noun
  • While there is no solid evidence that psychics can solve crimes, some law enforcement agencies use them when traditional leads run dry.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Judges are free to ignore sentencing guidelines, which are intended to reduce disparities in punishments levied for the same crimes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of crimes
Noun
  • But for Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), the local personalities pale in comparison to the evils lurking beneath the cursed island’s surface.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Only instead of crusading against the evils of dancing teenagers, our most pedantic podcasters have joined forces to convince their audiences that Tony Romo should be doing the Texas two-step to the nearest unemployment office.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of evils
Noun
  • While his character jokes casually about the shames of flying commercial, Ruck apologizes several times when referencing that, after 40 years of acting, work trips are often flown first class.
    — Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2021
Definition of shames
Noun
  • This early success, however, exposed weaknesses within the Maratha army rather than resolving them.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • While the licensing laws are strict, critics say there are weaknesses in enforcement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaknesses
Verb
  • This park also falls along the Rio Grande and includes mountainous terrain with tall cliffs and a desert landscape.
    — Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Balance is critical in helping older adults prevent falls — and it’s now considered a marker for longevity.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of falls
Noun
  • Four of seven members agreed with the District’s staff recommendation that the school had addressed the violations and should keep its charter.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Major was charged with one count of conspiracy and six counts of Lacey Act violations, and Eborn was charged with one count of conspiracy and seven counts of Lacey Act violations.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of violations
Noun
  • To Ramos, the bill represents a step toward reversing the long list of historical wrongs against Native Americans, including those perpetrated by the state government.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Scorpio is determined to reach their hopes no matter what; however, their soft side encourages them to right their wrongs immediately.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrongs
Noun
  • The model also accounts for major geologic faults because the bedrock layer in those areas is more likely to have cracks and fissures, according to Campbell.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Malfunctions can stem from a variety of underlying faults, including software issues and manufacturing missteps.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of faults

Browse Nearby Words

sinning
sins
sin tax
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sins. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sins

Nglish: Translation of sins for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All