sin 1 of 2

noun

ˈsin How to pronounce sin (audio)
Definition of sinnext
1
as in offence
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 evil
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 sinfulness
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society a sordid section of the city that is mainly known for sin and degradation

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4
as in shame
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a sin to waste food when people are starving

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5
as in weakness
a defect in character my besetting sin is impatience—I hate to wait for anything

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sin

2 of 2

verb

as in to trespass
to commit an offense bless me, Father, for I have sinned

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sin contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sin are crime, offense, scandal, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

When could crime be used to replace sin?

The synonyms crime and sin are sometimes interchangeable, but crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When would offense be a good substitute for sin?

In some situations, the words offense and sin are roughly equivalent. However, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

Where would scandal be a reasonable alternative to sin?

While in some cases nearly identical to sin, scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is vice a more appropriate choice than sin?

The meanings of vice and sin largely overlap; however, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

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 sin
Noun
Swirling and reaching into the sky, the Shakers sought to expunge their sins and find communion with God, but what is the difference between exorcism and excitation? —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025 Many societies in the past have linked swearing to blasphemy or sin. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
This is a man who has probably sinned more times and in more areas of life than any human not currently imprisoned. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024 But, despite the harsh punishment, the humans continued to sin. —Simon Rich, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for sin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sin
  1. evil
  2. shame
  3. weakness
  4. trespass
  5. crime
  6. bad
  7. corruption
  8. pity
Noun
  • Our empathy keeps getting used to excuse evil.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The courtroom thriller dramatizes the first international tribunal against surviving Nazi leaders, probing not only their crimes but also the nature of evil itself.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of evil
Noun
  • But people can get very emotional about money, experiencing feelings from scarcity and fear to greed, anxiety, shame, and guilt.
    — Gabriel Shahin, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The shame falls on the person who betrayed me.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of shame
Noun
  • The addition of shutdown closer Jhoan Duran has turned their bullpen from a weakness into a roster strength.
    — Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The milestone marks a symbolic win for the blue-chip index, highlighting the market’s resilience despite tariff concerns and signs of weakness in the economy.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of weakness
Verb
  • The driver refuses to get out and argues that police are trespassing on private property.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
  • An investigation revealed the suspect had trespassed and peered into a home through a glass door.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • But within those few episodes is a devastating story about a young boy who commits a horrendous crime that unfolds in excruciating detail, with each episode consisting of a single long shot.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Studies have also shown that the extra hour of daylight has resulted in safer roads, lower crime rates and economic benefits.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of crime
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
Definition of bad
Noun
  • Leading up to the protests, the hashtag #NepoBaby had been trending in the country, largely to criticize the extravagant lifestyles of local politicians' children and call out corruption, NPR previously reported.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Apart from lifting the ban on social media, the protesters’ other demands included that the Prime Minister resign and that Nepal establish an independent watchdog body similar to an ombudsman to monitor corruption.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • But Season 2 kills off the older Galpins without evoking any fear from their dastardly plans or pity for their ultimate plight.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Not used enough in today’s society, more’s the pity.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of pity

Browse Nearby Words

simultaneousness
sin
since
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Cite this Entry

“Sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sin. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sin

Nglish: Translation of sin for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sin

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