sinful

adjective

sin·​ful ˈsin-fəl How to pronounce sinful (audio)
1
: tainted with, marked by, or full of sin : wicked
2
: such as to make one feel guilty
a sinful chocolate cake
sinfully adverb
sinfulness noun

Example Sentences

It is sinful to steal. chastised by his minister for his sinful behavior
Recent Examples on the Web Some might assume that homosexual activity is no longer considered sinful, a fundamental change that conservative Catholics would find completely unacceptable. Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2022 Free from gluten, a Baby Ruth only tastes sinful. Taylyn Washington-harmon, Health.com, 15 Oct. 2020 The names of many sinful confections reflect their origins in convent kitchens – like bacon-from-heaven (toucinho do ceu) or nun’s belly (barriga de freira). Paul Ames, CNN, 5 Mar. 2023 The discrepancy is sinful. Dallas News, 8 Dec. 2022 So much around them is thought to be sinful. Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022 Its purpose is sinful. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 26 Apr. 2022 That celebration was scuttled by pressure from religious leader Clarence F. Pratt and his California Outdoor Christmas Tree Association, which convinced city leaders that cutting down trees was sinful, and people should decorate the trees in front of their houses. Peter Hartlaub, SFChronicle.com, 27 Nov. 2020 Korgette at A La Cart in Orlando’s Milk District is a vegan delight from app to dessert, while chef Ryan McKenzie’s Parlor’s sweet and savory fare is straight-up sinful. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sinful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sinful was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sinful

Cite this Entry

“Sinful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sinful. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

sinful

adjective
sin·​ful ˈsin-fəl How to pronounce sinful (audio)
: marked by or full of sin : wicked
sinfully adverb
sinfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sinful

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!