SIN Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sin 1 of 2

noun

ˈsin

Definition of sin next

as in crime

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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as in shame

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

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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

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

Offscreen, some fans accuse Wyle of explaining away or downplaying his fictional character’s cruelty, and of a constellation of other sins, including envy of his fellow actors’ credentials. —

Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026 Invidia is a sin that thrives in the shadows. —

Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 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 During the week, Barton often painted an image of himself as more sinned against than sinning. —

Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sin

Noun

The evidence relating to these crimes was of special interest, given that Kirwan’s murder and Gately’s surveillance are also part of the charge against Kinahan.

— Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Butts is charged with one count of false pretenses ($100,000 or more), three counts of false pretenses ($50,000 or more but less than $100,000), two counts of false pretenses ($20,000 or more but less than $50,000), 12 counts of identity theft, and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime.

— Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Definition of crime

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“Sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sin. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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noun

verb

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What is 'Sin'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on sin

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Beltane

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

The Words of the Week - May 1

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Longest Long Words List

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Games & Quizzes