SINS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

sins 1 of 2

noun

plural of sin

as in crimes

a breaking of a moral or legal code a child old enough to know that lying is a sin

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as in evils

that which is morally unacceptable a minister who worries that modern society has abandoned the concept of sin

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as in shames

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

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as in weaknesses

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

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sins

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sin

as in trespasses

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

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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

Noun

In the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 Fans of improv, musicals and audience participation will thoroughly enjoy this performance and should be prepared to repent for sins like eating a hamburger, owning too many snakes or yearning for a younger man. — Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026 Seven of our contributors gamely shared (some of) their secret sins. — Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026 Among Ashley’s many sins, none were more wicked than the alienation of club legends, particularly Keegan. — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026 That creates a dangerous possibility of AI as the ultimate seven-sins machine. — Regan Peng, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The big mic drop at the conclusion of the finale turns out that Paula is a stone-cold (if possibly accidental) killer after all, and that the shadowy Souter Group is going to make her pay for her sins. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 July 2026 The woman’s love and affection, as well as her genuine repentance, won his absolution of her sins. — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026 But there are plenty of sins against the rules of cinematic chastity that marked that movement, such as the ample space made for Lasse Aagaard’s affecting, low-key score that amps up the anxiety as Vibeke starts to spiral. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 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

As someone who counsels and advocates for people who have been convicted of the worst crimes imaginable, Hood often faces criticism from the victims’ families.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
For more than a century, people have wondered whether Hyde was the innocent victim of an amazing set of coincidences or a heartless killer who never paid for his crimes.

— Dan Kelly August 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of crimes

Noun

But for Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), the local personalities pale in comparison to the evils lurking beneath the cursed island’s surface.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Only instead of crusading against the evils of dancing teenagers, our most pedantic podcasters have joined forces to convince their audiences that Tony Romo should be doing the Texas two-step to the nearest unemployment office.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of evils

Noun

While tech billionaires such as Elon Musk and Marc Andreessen may see empathy and introspection as weaknesses, those traits are the beating heart of literature and art, the wellspring of creativity and human connection.

— Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
City looked anemic in their Community Shield warmup last weekend, going down in defeat 3-0 against Arsenal in a blowout that exposed a few weaknesses in Maresca’s midfield.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaknesses

Verb

When Cantu reaches towards Lopez and screams his wife’s name, a shot rings out and Lopez falls slightly off camera.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Rather than extra long hair, think of a cut that falls somewhere below the collarbone, with enough layering or movement to keep it from feeling heavy.

— Laura Solla, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of falls

Noun

Parents are demanding the chance to opt out of apps and learning platforms, and others, including Cherkin, are suing ed tech companies and publishers, accusing them of data privacy violations and false advertising.

— Linda Jacobson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Parking violations are being decriminalized, meaning drivers who fail to pay will receive an administrative ticket.

— Ubah Ali, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of violations

Noun

And having the club fined is also not going to cause individual players to curtail their emotions or not defend themselves against actual or perceived wrongs.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
The tired, the sick, the hungry, the famous and tons of ex-boyfriends, all regretting their wrongs.

— Courtney Love, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrongs

Noun

Bypassing Fischer-Tropsch reactions Once generated, the hydrogen moved rapidly toward the surface along regional faults.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Deadly fires, often linked to electrical faults or gas cylinder explosions, are common in India where investigators have frequently pointed to safety lapses and inadequate enforcement of fire regulations as contributing to recurring loss of life.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of faults

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sinning

sins

sin tax

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Style

“Sins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sins. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sins

noun

verb

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