sinful pleasures

USAGE SUMMARY

"sinful pleasures" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Generally, it is used to refer to pleasure that is considered wrong or immoral. For example, "Some people enjoy sinful pleasures, such as smoking cigarettes or gambling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's the realm of publicists and glossy magazines, doubling their titillation with talk of "sinful pleasures".

The New York Times

In some sense fashion designers are merely messengers, delivering up to us our own grotesque parody of religious grace, in which food substitutes for sex and the sinful pleasures of the flesh lead only to the purgatory of size 14.

The New York Times

Sinful pleasures?

BBC

Please do not mistake Christianity as some set of moral codes to live by that takes away exciting, sinful pleasures of life.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The writer reminisces about foods she has at one point enjoyed with almost sinful pleasure, and has since craved, but abstained from, like an alcoholic from liquor.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Brotherton called her book "A New System of Vegetable Cookery," and its particular evangelical mission was to banish all sinful pleasure from whatever legume was in your pot.

The New Yorker

Take a spoonful of regret, add a pinch of love for the victim of our actions, mix with some sinful pleasure and stir with the self-satisfaction of forgiveness.

The Guardian - Music

This sinful pleasure is a fresh triumph for Lynch, and one of the best films of a sorry-ass year.

Wikipedia

In the eyes of some viewers, this sin is depicted in the left-hand panel through Adam's, allegedly lustful, gaze towards Eve, and it has been proposed that the center panel was created as a warning to the viewer to avoid a life of sinful pleasure.

Wikipedia

It must not be that whilst obeying the Nafs in sinful pleasure, the Angel of death visits; and departure is in disgrace, and return to Allah Ta'ala is at a time when He is angry, and that death is an embarrassment to the person, family and community who find out that death came in sin.

WikiHow

An excellent Poem on Time; fit to be purused by those who spend their precious Time in voluptuous, sinful, and unnecessary Pleasures.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase, ensure it aligns with the tone and theme of your writing. The phrase is suitable for literary or creative works exploring themes of morality, temptation, or transgression.

Common error

Avoid using "sinful pleasures" in contexts where a lighthearted or humorous tone is intended. The phrase carries a serious moral weight and may be inappropriate for casual or celebratory situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sinful pleasures" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "sinful" modifies the noun "pleasures". Ludwig's AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in English, denoting activities deemed morally wrong yet enjoyable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sinful pleasures" refers to enjoyable activities considered morally wrong, according to Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and usable, though its frequency is rare. The phrase appears primarily in News & Media and Wiki contexts, carrying a neutral register despite its negative connotation. Consider alternatives like "guilty pleasures" for less morally charged contexts. While Ludwig confirms its validity, be mindful of the serious undertones when using it in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guilty pleasures

Focuses on the feeling of guilt associated with enjoying something, rather than the inherent sinfulness.

forbidden joys

Emphasizes the aspect of something being prohibited or off-limits.

illicit delights

Highlights the unlawful or socially unacceptable nature of the pleasure.

wicked indulgences

Conveys a sense of moral badness or naughtiness in the act of indulging.

immoral amusements

Directly states the activities are against accepted moral principles.

corrupting pastimes

Suggests the activities have a damaging or detrimental effect on one's character.

debased pleasures

Indicates the pleasures are of low quality or moral character.

unholy gratification

Emphasizes the lack of religious or spiritual purity in the satisfaction.

depraved enjoyment

Highlights the moral corruption and perversion associated with the enjoyment.

nefarious amusements

Emphasizes the wickedness and evil nature of the amusements.

FAQs

How can I use "sinful pleasures" in a sentence?

You can use "sinful pleasures" to describe activities or experiences considered morally wrong but enjoyable, such as "He indulged in the "sinful pleasures" of gambling and excessive drinking."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "sinful pleasures"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "guilty pleasures", "forbidden joys", or "illicit delights".

What distinguishes "sinful pleasures" from "guilty pleasures"?

"Sinful pleasures" implies a violation of religious or moral principles, while "guilty pleasures" simply suggests enjoyment that one feels ashamed or embarrassed about, regardless of its morality.

Is it appropriate to use "sinful pleasures" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, the phrase "sinful pleasures" may be too evocative for formal writing. Consider using a more neutral term like "controversial enjoyments" or "debatable pastimes" to maintain a professional tone.