sin 1 of 2

1
2
3
4
as in shame
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a sin to waste food when people are starving

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

sin

2 of 2

verb

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
And the sin that Crespo supposedly committed to warrant banishment? The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025 For his part, Misch has not come close to showing remorse nor confessing his sins. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
Verb
Páramo is a perfect hypocrite, sinning freely and then heading to the confession booth to take advantage of his faith’s unlimited forgiveness policy. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for sin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sin
Noun
  • With a visual style influenced by European fantasy and shonen anime, the series promises high-stakes action and emotional resonance as its heroes confront an ancient evil.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 7 June 2025
  • Topics: Science & technology (24%), particularly good vs. evil, new technology, advanced science, and the workings of the universe.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • She’s also never been afraid to use the power of shame.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
  • Asking Eric: Hoarder’s friend wants to help but doesn’t want to risk causing shame Taylor Swift granted restraining order against Colorado man accused of stalking Real Estate The housing market was supposed to recover this year.
    Denver Post, Denver Post, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • And the weakness is extending to other travel industry forecasts, like hotels.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Potential symptoms include insomnia, muscle cramps, constipation, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, personality changes and heart arrhythmias, experts say.
    Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Getty Images Steele's bill would allow Pennsylvania's Game Commission to legalize hunting on Sundays of its choosing, while outlining new regulations related to hunting, such as trespassing penalties.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Reyes was arrested on trespassing charges and given a $1,000 bond, but his bond has since been upgraded to $50,000.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Release date: Friday, June 20 Cast: Guy Pearce, Cosmo Jarvis, Vincent Miller, Toby Wallace Director-screenwriter: Charles Williams 1 hour 43 minutes Inside is not the usual story of damnation or redemption, of the unbreakable cycles of crime or even the virtues of rehabilitation, like Sing Sing.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
  • His meeting with Angelo, known as ‘A Sirena,’ the mob boss of Secondigliano, then marks his entry into the world of crime.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 June 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
Noun
  • The film's themes of corruption and the brave whistleblowers who expose it feel particularly apt in this current moment.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 5 June 2025
  • In the early two-thousands, he was found to have misrepresented himself as a prosecutor to help a journalist investigate a mayor suspected of corruption; he was accused of having an extramarital affair; his son reportedly posted misogynistic comments online.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • There are no disruptive flash patterns, though, which is a pity.
    Caramel Quin, Wired News, 5 June 2025
  • The old chestnut of package tracking scams has not vanished, more’s the pity.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sin. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sin

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!