mortal sin

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. a willfully committed, serious transgression against the law of God, depriving the soul of divine grace.

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mortal sin British  

noun

1. Christianity a sin regarded as involving total loss of grace Compare venial sin

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Example Sentences

“Grantchester” may be ending, but “Father Brown” endures because its homilies champion the belief that good exists in everybody, even in the hearts of those who commit mortal sin.

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2026

That would be considered a mortal sin by the vast majority of football fandom.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

The rap on this year’s pack of gubernatorial hopefuls is they’re a collective bore, as though the lack of A-list sizzle and failure to throw off sparks is some kind of mortal sin.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

Most of us have been taught from a young age that failing to stretch before or after exercising is akin to a mortal sin.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 26, 2022

At one point Perot, believing his motives had been misinterpreted and hoping to convince people that improving education in Texas was not a mortal sin, contemplated coming to Odessa to speak.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger