Sinner: meaning, definitions and examples

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sinner

 

[ ˈsɪnər ]

Noun
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.

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

Etymology

The word 'sinner' dates back to Old English, where it originally meant 'one who sins'. It has been used in religious contexts to describe those who violate moral or divine laws. Over time, the term has also been applied informally to individuals who exhibit bad behavior or break societal rules.

See also: sin, sinful, sinfulness, sins.

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.