original sin
noun
1
: the state of sin that according to Christian theology characterizes all human beings as a result of Adam's fall
2
: a wrong of great magnitude
the original sin of slavery
Examples of original sin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One item not on Biden’s list is reparations, the long overdue but still controversial payments to the descendants of enslaved people in compensation for that original sin.
—
Joe Davidson, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
In a year that’s already seen two major horror movies competing for the title of Best Virgin Nun to Give Birth to the Antichrist, Miller and co-writer M.A. Fortin have miraculously managed to achieve a kind of original sin.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 June 2024
It’s done in the saddest way, with the original sin of patricide.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2024
To the federal officials and the states, the Ticketmaster deal was the original sin allowing Live Nation to build itself a near-monopoly in the live music industry.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for original sin 
Joe Davidson, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
In a year that’s already seen two major horror movies competing for the title of Best Virgin Nun to Give Birth to the Antichrist, Miller and co-writer M.A. Fortin have miraculously managed to achieve a kind of original sin.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 June 2024
It’s done in the saddest way, with the original sin of patricide.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2024
To the federal officials and the states, the Ticketmaster deal was the original sin allowing Live Nation to build itself a near-monopoly in the live music industry.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for original sin
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'original sin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Original sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/original%20sin. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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