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.
Before Robby and Al-Hashimi engage in any real ideological tussles, though, she commits the cardinal sin of suggesting they change the trauma center’s nickname to something else.
From Salon • Jan. 8, 2026
And viewpoint-based discrimination is a cardinal sin under the First Amendment.
From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025
"It was like a cardinal sin," Dawn Butler told the Commons during a debate on St Patrick's Day and Northern Irish affairs.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2025
If you’re an opinion journalist, a cardinal sin is to express a view you really don’t believe — or stoop to fabrication.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 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.
