venial

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.

In baseball, bunting to break up a perfect game is a mortal and not a venial sin.

From Washington Post • Nov. 13, 2020

It is the diminishment of a man by a thousand nicks, a soul that rationalizes venial sins for the sake of his only child.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2017

That’s an awfully venial sin, and I think you’ll have to deal with your outsize feelings of grief on your own.

From Slate • Jul. 12, 2016

What we got was akin to looting an ATM: not just amusing, venial sins, but some nearly unforgivable mortal ones.

From Golf Digest • Aug. 3, 2010

Father Byrnes went on to discuss the difference between mortal and venial sins.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya