Sinner: meaning, definitions and examples

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sinner

 

[ˈsɪnər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

religious

A person who transgresses against divine law by committing sin.

Synonyms

evildoer, transgressor, wrongdoer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sinner

Often used in religious or moral contexts to describe a person who has committed sins according to a particular faith.

  • He went to the church to confess his sins, admitting he was a sinner.
  • According to the teachings, everyone is a sinner and needs redemption.
wrongdoer

A general term for someone who has committed a wrongful act, often used in both formal and informal settings.

  • The wrongdoer was caught and brought to trial.
  • She believed that everyone deserves a second chance, even a wrongdoer.
transgressor

Typically used in legal or ethical discussions to describe someone who violates rules, laws, or boundaries.

  • The transgressor was fined for breaking the city's noise ordinance.
  • In history classes, students learn about historical figures who were transgressors of societal norms.
evildoer

Used to describe someone who actively does evil actions and is intentionally harmful. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • The vigilante vowed to bring the evildoer to justice.
  • Stories of heroic knights often involve them fighting evildoers.

Examples of usage

  • He confessed his sins to the priest.
  • She was afraid of being judged as a sinner.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A person who behaves badly or breaks the rules.

Synonyms

delinquent, miscreant, troublemaker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sinner

This term is commonly used in religious contexts to describe someone who has committed a moral or religious offense.

  • The priest called him a sinner for breaking the commandments.
  • She went to confession to seek forgiveness for her sins.
troublemaker

Refers to someone who frequently causes problems, conflicts, or disruptions. This term is generally informal and often used in everyday speech.

  • The teacher called him a troublemaker for always disrupting the class.
  • My little brother is such a troublemaker; he is always getting into something.
delinquent

Usually refers to a young person who regularly performs illegal or unacceptable activities, often used in legal or social contexts.

  • The school has a program for delinquent youths.
  • He was arrested for his delinquent behavior.
miscreant

Often used in a literary or formal setting to describe someone who behaves badly or breaks the law. It can have a somewhat archaic or theatrical tone.

  • The police finally captured the miscreant.
  • In the story, the miscreant was banished from the kingdom.

Examples of usage

  • He's always been a bit of a sinner, causing trouble wherever he goes.
  • The rebellious teenager was seen as a sinner by the local community.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'synn', which means a crime or transgression.
  • Across languages, similar words exist; for example, the Latin 'peccator' means a wrongdoer, linking many cultures to the concept of wrongdoing.

Religious Context

  • Many religions, including Christianity and Islam, discuss the concept of sin and sinners, often linking it to moral laws given by a divine authority.
  • In Christianity, the notion of original sin suggests that all humans inherit this aspect from the first humans, Adam and Eve.

Literature

  • Sinners are often portrayed as complex characters in literature, showcasing the struggle between good and evil.
  • Famous works, like Dante's 'Inferno,' explore the consequences of sin, detailing the different levels of hell for various wrongdoers.

Psychology

  • The feeling of guilt associated with being a sinner can have psychological impacts, affecting self-esteem and behavior.
  • Studies show that people often rationalize their actions, leading to inner conflict when they do something deemed sinful.

Pop Culture

  • The term has been used in various songs and movies, often to highlight themes of redemption, guilt, and moral conflict.
  • Television series often depict characters as 'sinners' in a metaphorical sense, exploring their flaws and growth.

Translations

Translations of the word "sinner" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pecador

🇮🇳 पापी

🇩🇪 Sünder

🇮🇩 pendosa

🇺🇦 грішник

🇵🇱 grzesznik

🇯🇵 罪人 (つみびと)

🇫🇷 pécheur

🇪🇸 pecador

🇹🇷 günahkar

🇰🇷 죄인 (joe-in)

🇸🇦 خاطئ

🇨🇿 hříšník

🇸🇰 hriešnik

🇨🇳 罪人 (zuìrén)

🇸🇮 grešnik

🇮🇸 syndari

🇰🇿 күнәһар

🇬🇪 ცოდვილი (codvili)

🇦🇿 günahkar

🇲🇽 pecador

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,712, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.