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
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
The length exacerbates all the rest of the series' sins, including a lack of emotional depth, gratuitous suffering and violence, long stretches of boring, listless plotting and extraneous characters.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
In time, sins can either be forgiven or forgotten.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 3 June 2026
Like the black bamboo by my window, bent by the heavy snows, we were broken by the burden of our sins.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
For pilgrims, Hajj, performed over five days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins.
—Baraa Anwer, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
For pilgrims, Hajj, performed over several days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
This conversation is not about blaming people today for the sins of the past.
—John W. Beacham, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Tackling heavy themes, including guilt and sins of the past, writer-director Rian Johnson crafts a rich story that transcends the surface-level reveals of whodunit.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
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
Noun
These days, most red-letter sins in NCAA sports come in gray, and more often invisible ink.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
The length exacerbates all the rest of the series' sins, including a lack of emotional depth, gratuitous suffering and violence, long stretches of boring, listless plotting and extraneous characters.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
In time, sins can either be forgiven or forgotten.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 3 June 2026
Like the black bamboo by my window, bent by the heavy snows, we were broken by the burden of our sins.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
For pilgrims, Hajj, performed over five days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins.
—Baraa Anwer, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
For pilgrims, Hajj, performed over several days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
This conversation is not about blaming people today for the sins of the past.
—John W. Beacham, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Tackling heavy themes, including guilt and sins of the past, writer-director Rian Johnson crafts a rich story that transcends the surface-level reveals of whodunit.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 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
Noun
-
He was taken into custody without incident on suspicion of second-degree murder and other crimes, Reed said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Flock cameras also improve efficiency by helping officers quickly identify vehicles connected to crimes, which can reduce investigative time and limit the need for additional overtime.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
All the while, Russian state TV continued to air the Kremlin’s talking points about the valor of its troops, the evils of Ukraine and its Western allies, and the approaching victory of Russia.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
-
By the way, Orange County Republicans clearly don’t buy the evils-of-voting-by-mail thing.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Bedoya offers insights on this year’s biggest contenders, plus gives his favorites, sleepers and a look at Team USA’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the Cup.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
The note, which was published by Xbox on Xbox Wire, does not address potential layoffs but instead focuses on specific weaknesses within the division, including a 3% accountability margin for the fiscal year.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
No two film or TV shoots are alike, as each director and team of department heads have to find their own unique rhythm that falls somewhere on a spectrum between meticulous storyboarding and completely improvising on set.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 June 2026
-
For elderly patients, prolonged stays in hallways increase the risks of delirium, falls, sleep deprivation, loss of dignity, and prolonged recovery.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Other violations throughout the years included creating another public nuisance in 2006 that generated more than 10 complaints and operating equipment contrary to its permit.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The facility was inspected by the department three other times in the last five years and was cited for violations unrelated to chemicals and storage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
So that's an exceptionalism that in quite severe terms suggests sacrifice to right wrongs.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Which just goes to show three wrongs don’t make a right.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
California has over 500 active faults, but scientists cannot predict when earthquakes will occur.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
For all his faults, Beckham was named one of the top 100 Giants players of all time by an independent committee, according to the team.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Klepper wanders the streets talks to people about the state of America and the current political administration.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
4 June 2026
-
The Littlest Hobo will be a live-action drama reimagining of the classic Canadian TV series, which first aired in Canada in 1979 about an ownerless German Shepherd dog who wanders from town to town helping people.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sins. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
