deadly sin

noun

: one of seven sins of pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth held to be fatal to spiritual progress

Examples of deadly sin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The seven deadly sins—pride, greed, envy, lust, gluttony, wrath and sloth—are ancient concepts that permeate our modern life. Sandro Da Silva, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 Each season has its own theme, ranging from the seven deadly sins and virtues in season two to an exploration of global literature in season three. Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024 Pitt and Freeman played detectives trying to stop a serial killer whose series of murders are based on the seven deadly sins. Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 The book, about a young girl who is always looking at her reflection, was part of a children’s series Du Bois created around the seven deadly sins (this one was pride). Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deadly sin 

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadly sin was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near deadly sin

Cite this Entry

“Deadly sin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadly%20sin. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

deadly sin

noun
: one of seven sins of pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth considered in Christianity to be very serious and believed to cause other sins

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