sinful

adjective

sin·​ful ˈsin-fəl 

1

: tainted with, marked by, or full of sin : wicked

2

: such as to make one feel guilty

a sinful chocolate cake

sinfully

ˈsin-fə-lē 

adverb

sinfulness noun

Synonyms

• bad
• dark
• evil
• immoral
• iniquitous
• nefarious
• rotten
• unethical
• unlawful
• unrighteous
• unsavory
• vicious
• vile
• villainous
• wicked
• wrong

Examples of sinful in a Sentence

It is sinful to steal.

chastised by his minister for his sinful behavior

Recent Examples on the Web

But it also was forged from a particular kind of alchemy that separates a sinful holiday confection from a sugar-sodden mess. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024

While the Church teaches that homosexual acts are sinful, Francis has made efforts to make LGBTQ+ Catholics feel welcome. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024

Building a lexicon around shame creates an easy dichotomy − one that separates foods, and our desire for them, into good and bad, sinful and pure, moral and amoral. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024

To the media and many public observers, the tragedy cemented the architect’s sinful character. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sinful

adjective

sin·​ful ˈsin-fəl 

: marked by or full of sin : wicked

sinfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

sinfulness noun