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

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2
as in evils
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 shames
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a sin to waste food when people are starving

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

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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

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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 sins
Noun
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 The angels, still in disguise as men, inform Lot that the city will be destroyed as punishment for its sins. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026 Do not allow the sins of the past to overwhelm, to drown the present. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 That relationship was based on sinners confessing their sins to this vicar. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026 The cult wants to live off the land and not rely on any technology in the apocalypse, and believes the Cordyceps brain infection was a punishment from God for the world’s sins. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 12 June 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
  • Here’s a look back at the most infamous, shocking, blood-curdling or mysterious crimes and disasters that captured the attention of the nation — and the world.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
  • After this article was published, the Department of Homeland Security’s media office sent a statement listing the criminal histories of Morffi and Rodriguez and explaining that their green cards were revoked due to their crimes.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of crimes
Noun
  • During the War for Independence, the tribe saw the British as the lesser of two evils.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • So please get ready for a choice of evils.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 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
  • Use that outing to identify hiking-specific weaknesses and address them before the big trip.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026
  • The paper could also help other countries identify possible weaknesses in large low Earth orbit satellite networks, especially those used for military purposes.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of weaknesses
Verb
  • Vessel traffic falls Hoffman cautioned that falling vessel traffic could eventually force producers to reduce output if storage fills up because crude can no longer be exported.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • If payrolls rise and unemployment falls, the labor market is declared strong.
    — Katica Roy, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Definition of falls
Noun
  • Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants that Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) inspected for July 5th - July 11th, 2026.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Four lobbyists who persuaded their clients to pay tour expenses, but did not report them, now face misdemeanor violations of the gift ban.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Definition of violations
Noun
  • Brian Kilmeade views the semiquincentennial as an opportunity to reflect on the nation's founding courage and vision, while Lawrence Jones highlights America's continuous improvement despite past wrongs.
    — Mark Joyella, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • So did two wrongs make a right?
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of wrongs
Noun
  • Can successfully gnarly gore redeem the faults in a film’s story and characterization?
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • These tremors are made possible by faults — cracks in the bedrock — deep below the surface, according to Bauer.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of faults

Browse Nearby Words

sinning
sins
sin tax
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Cite this Entry

“Sins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sins. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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