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.
The cardinal sin of “The Last Days” is that it doesn’t choose a storyline.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026
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
For most coaches, that is a cardinal sin.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2025
But laughing at the Fuhrer is perhaps the cardinal sin when living under fascism—this is no joke.
From Slate • Feb. 16, 2025
He had committed the cardinal sin of putting his own interests ahead of the organization and the people.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
