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
In a society that privileged religion, women were also casualties of biblical interpretations that emphasized their original sin: Eve over Deborah, Jezebel over Sarah.
—
Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2020
That’s arguably true as a question of history, though increasingly embracing a narrative of secular original sin is part of what’s put the Democratic Party in this hole in the first place.
—Harry Siegel, New York Daily News, 20 July 2024
Moreover, the resolution helped remedy the original sin of international human rights law by narrowing the obligation to prohibit incitement to hatred inserted in the ICCPR at the behest of the Soviet Union back in the 1960s.
—Jacob McHangama, Foreign Affairs, 9 Feb. 2022
If the taking of data without consent is generative AI’s original sin, the widespread labor exploitation is its dirty secret.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for original sin 
Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2020
That’s arguably true as a question of history, though increasingly embracing a narrative of secular original sin is part of what’s put the Democratic Party in this hole in the first place.
—Harry Siegel, New York Daily News, 20 July 2024
Moreover, the resolution helped remedy the original sin of international human rights law by narrowing the obligation to prohibit incitement to hatred inserted in the ICCPR at the behest of the Soviet Union back in the 1960s.
—Jacob McHangama, Foreign Affairs, 9 Feb. 2022
If the taking of data without consent is generative AI’s original sin, the widespread labor exploitation is its dirty secret.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 June 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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“Original sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/original%20sin. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.
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