What does sinned mean?
Sinned is the past tense and past participle of sin, a verb meaning to commit an act considered morally wrong or contrary to religious teaching. In everyday use, it can suggest serious wrongdoing rather than a minor mistake, and its religious associations give it a formal, solemn tone. The word is transitive when it names what was done wrong, as in “he sinned against God,” and intransitive when it refers simply to wrongdoing, as in “they sinned.” Its past-tense form places attention on an event already completed, often creating a sense of guilt, consequence, or moral reckoning. Sinned is therefore especially useful in religious writing, historical discussion, and literary descriptions of a character’s mistakes. In less formal contexts, people usually say erred, did wrong, or transgressed instead.
verbTo commit a sin; to do something considered morally wrong, especially in a religious or serious moral sense.
- To have committed a sin or acted in a morally wrong way.
"He sinned by lying to protect his family."
"He sinned by lying to protect his family."
"The novel considers people who sinned and then sought redemption."
Sinned puts the action squarely in the past: the mistake happened, and it left a moral mark.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How sinned is actually used
Sinned is formal, literary, and strongly moral in tone. It is especially common in religious contexts but can also describe serious wrongdoing in secular discussion. Because it refers to an action already completed, it often implies reflection on the past.
Easily confused with sinned
Sinned is the past tense and past participle of the verb sin, meaning to commit a morally or religiously wrong act; it is not a noun.