sinfulness

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformalreligion

   the quality of being full of sin or of acting in a way that is morally wrong, especially in a religious sense.

   Grammar: No plural and no 'a'; it names a quality, not a thing: 'the sinfulness of his life', not 'a sinfulness'.

   Patterns

   • the sinfulness of something
   • human sinfulness

   The preacher spoke at length about the sinfulness of the modern world.

   Her diary reveals a deep sense of her own sinfulness.

   The poem contrasts the sinfulness of the city with the purity of the countryside.

2. 2noununcountableformaldisapproving

   the state of being deeply wrong or morally harmful in a non-religious, disapproving way.

   Grammar: Used figuratively about actions or systems, often with 'of': 'the sinfulness of the whole scheme'.

   Patterns

   • the sinfulness of something

   Critics condemned the sinfulness of a system that let the rich avoid all taxes.

   There is a certain sinfulness in enjoying another person's misfortune.

Common combinations

human sinfulness

Theologians have argued for centuries about the nature of human sinfulness.

a sense of sinfulness

He was overcome by a sudden sense of sinfulness.

the sinfulness of the world

Monks withdrew from the sinfulness of the world.

confess your sinfulness

In the prayer, believers confess their sinfulness to God.

Synonyms and how they differ

wickedness

Stronger and more general than 'sinfulness'; it can describe any evil behavior, not only religious wrongdoing.

immorality

Focuses on breaking moral rules rather than on offending God, so it fits secular discussion better.

ungodliness

Means living without respect for God; it stresses a lack of faith, while 'sinfulness' stresses wrong acts.

Opposites

Word family

sin noun

an act that breaks a religious or moral law

sinful adjective

morally wrong; full of sin

sinfully adverb

in a morally wrong way

sinner noun

a person who sins

Commonly confused: sinfulness or sinlessness?

Practice

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