mortal sin
noun
: a sin (such as murder) that is deliberately committed and is of such serious consequence according to Thomist theology that it deprives the soul of sanctifying grace compare venial sin sense 1
Examples of mortal sin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, Catholics who are married in the church, get divorced and are remarried are, for all intents and purposes, living in a state of mortal sin.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024
And of course, a 4-year-old child is not capable of mortal sin.
—Michael Schaub, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2024
Season three is all about Din, who is on a spiritual journey towards redemption after committing the mortal sin of taking off his helmet in front of others in the season two finale.
—Katie Rife, Chron, 2 Mar. 2023
Any association with gambling was a mortal sin.
—BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2021
Grifting for yourself is a mortal sin.
—Adrian Daub, The New Republic, 21 Apr. 2021
For more than a century, gambling was the one great mortal sin in American sports.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 26 Jan. 2023
Coveting thy neighbors’ pears isn’t a mortal sin — indeed, preventing food waste is a virtue.
—John Hodgman, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2023
And for an artist of his stature, known for putting an unmistakable stamp on the genres and eras of his choosing, that's the one mortal sin.
—Charles Bramesco, Chron, 18 Nov. 2022
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024
And of course, a 4-year-old child is not capable of mortal sin.
—Michael Schaub, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2024
Season three is all about Din, who is on a spiritual journey towards redemption after committing the mortal sin of taking off his helmet in front of others in the season two finale.
—Katie Rife, Chron, 2 Mar. 2023
Any association with gambling was a mortal sin.
—BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2021
Grifting for yourself is a mortal sin.
—Adrian Daub, The New Republic, 21 Apr. 2021
For more than a century, gambling was the one great mortal sin in American sports.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 26 Jan. 2023
Coveting thy neighbors’ pears isn’t a mortal sin — indeed, preventing food waste is a virtue.
—John Hodgman, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2023
And for an artist of his stature, known for putting an unmistakable stamp on the genres and eras of his choosing, that's the one mortal sin.
—Charles Bramesco, Chron, 18 Nov. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mortal sin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to mortal sin
Dictionary Entries Near mortal sin
Cite this Entry
“Mortal sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortal%20sin. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share