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
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
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
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
In Christian lore, the sycamore also symbolizes repentance, humility, and forgiveness of one’s sins, evoked by the story of the tax collector Zacchaeus, who climbed one to see Jesus.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Or will their collective sins destroy #Momtok for good?
—Peter White, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Indeed, at every Catholic Mass, participants offer a general confession of sins without specifying particular actions.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
In some ways, this rhetoric is a continuation of a fight that liberals and conservatives have been having for decades about how much to emphasize America’s sins versus its strengths.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Courage Under Fire’s Rashomon-like investigation and gender politics aren’t particularly riveting, but Washington’s steady righteousness is nicely undercut by the character’s inability to forgive himself for his own sins.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
After Knull’s fall, Hela is imprisoned in the An'Hay-Zhidi, where Dizang—Devil of the Eighth City—dares her to atone for her sins.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
In Christian lore, the sycamore also symbolizes repentance, humility, and forgiveness of one’s sins, evoked by the story of the tax collector Zacchaeus, who climbed one to see Jesus.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Or will their collective sins destroy #Momtok for good?
—Peter White, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Indeed, at every Catholic Mass, participants offer a general confession of sins without specifying particular actions.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
In some ways, this rhetoric is a continuation of a fight that liberals and conservatives have been having for decades about how much to emphasize America’s sins versus its strengths.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Courage Under Fire’s Rashomon-like investigation and gender politics aren’t particularly riveting, but Washington’s steady righteousness is nicely undercut by the character’s inability to forgive himself for his own sins.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sins
Noun
-
Those who dismissed intersectionality saw such policies as little more than allowing the disadvantaged to commit crimes without consequences to make up for past inequities, afflicting crime victims from the same disadvantaged communities.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Released in September 2025, Blood & Myth follows the Iñupiaq man and respected actor Teddy Kyle Smith, who became a fugitive following a string of violent crimes in the remote town of Kiana, Alaska.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The format, tone, and structure of a reality-TV show do not leave space for genuine critiques of its evils.—
Olivia Crandall,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Maa traces the story of a mother-daughter duo focusing on their escape from social and supernatural evils with almost zero support around them.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
It could be argued that this trio of managers followed each other at United because their strengths answered the previous manager’s weaknesses.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Vandersloot’s absence this season exposed weaknesses across the Sky roster.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This does not mean genuine wrongs should be dismissed.—
Jonathan Alpert,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The duo went on to work together in Highway to Heaven where Landon starred as a literal avenging angel, righting wrongs and looking out for people who couldn’t look out for themselves.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The model shows how faults in the volcano’s base act as plumbing system, where molten rock and hydrothermal fluids can reach the surface.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
That both films have come to be seen as a bit creaky probably has as much to do with the inferior home video transfers they’ve been subjected to in the past as with any inherent faults — a problem Warner Archive‘s flawless new editions laudably correct.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Oregon rises after beating Oklahoma State by 66, while Clemson falls after trailing Troy at halftime before a 27-16 win.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Raising systemic issues and then resolving them with humor falls flat for this critic.—
Beandrea July,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At this point, nine research universities have had all or most of their federal research funds frozen by the administration over allegations of violations of civil rights laws or other typically unproven accusations.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The new rules build upon a 2021 law authored by Quirk-Silva that sought to compel local governments to inspect shelters where residents lodged complaints, ensure operators corrected any violations, and report the progress to the state housing department.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
1 Sep. 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
Cite this Entry
“Sins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sins. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share