cardinal sin
Britishnoun
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theol any of the seven deadly sins
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informal an unforgivable error or misjudgment
lack of impartiality is considered a cardinal sin in broadcasting circles
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perhaps the cardinal sin in Garten’s Thanksgiving guidebook is waiting until the very last minute to prepare and serve your Thanksgiving meal.
From Salon • Nov. 18, 2025
As Justice Sonia Sotomayor explained, this test favored certain denominations over others based on subjective judgments about their theological practices—a cardinal sin under the First Amendment’s establishment clause.
From Slate • Jun. 16, 2025
Attributing consciousness to animals based on their responses was seen as a cardinal sin.
From BBC • Jun. 15, 2024
The residents’ cardinal sin is placing all the responsibility on a single man, eager to wash their hands of any guilt.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2023
It would have been a cardinal sin to cover up those luscious chestnut locks.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
