Definitions

venial

[vee-nee-uhl, veen-yuhl] / ˈvi ni əl, ˈvin yəl /

ADJECTIVE

pardonable

Synonyms

WEAK

all right allowable defensible excusable explainable forgivable justifiable minor not serious not too bad okay permissible slight tolerable trivial understandable

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

His self-absorption is at worst a venial sin, and his book's failings should be charged to its editor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2015

As far as environmental sins go, you can file this one in the venial category.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2012

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