VENIAL Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

venial

adjective

ˈvē-nē-əl

Definition of venial

as in pardonable

worthy of forgiveness taking the restaurant's menu as a souvenir seems like a venial offense

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of venial But logging off—and returning to the sphere in which people are apt to forgive one another for venial affronts—is no longer an option. — Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022 And that loyalty has been reciprocated with job security and forgiveness of venial sins. — cleveland, 12 Dec. 2021 The list is long of international companies, and even celebrities, who’ve groveled in apology for sins as venial as recognizing Taiwan. — Kevin T. Dugan, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2021 This is, of course, the day-to-day venial reality for attorneys who don’t prosecute serial killers, and Saul can always extrapolate small crimes into tall tales. — Darren Franich, EW.com, 18 June 2020 Taibbi favors a cynical style evenly applied across the universe of real and perceived journalistic trespasses, challenging a reader to sort mortal from venial. — Ann Marie Lipinski, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2019 His presence was more difficult to justify than the venial offenses of Spygate or Deflategate. — BostonGlobe.com, 22 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for venial

Adjective

But in this instance, the breach is entirely pardonable, because these two men, Jun and Arthur, have just gotten married.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
All this is to say that any excesses of enthusiasm for Friday (and Thursday) might seem pardonable, although each day reached the thermal pinnacle of the 80s.

— Martin Weil, Washington Post, 19 July 2024

Definition of pardonable

Adjective

The assertion that an assault is excusable—or simply did not happen—because a perpetrator failed to recognize his victim strips women of their fundamental humanity.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026
The purpose of the Correspondents’ Dinner is often misunderstood, an excusable side-effect of the viral clips over the years that show sitting presidents roasting the media (and getting roasted by entertainers in return).

— Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of excusable

Adjective

The most justifiable criticism against the DC detective series is that its mysteries play out wordily, without letting the audience in on how its space cops come to major conclusions.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Appalled by the failure to answer many questions, Democrats responded with what was often, though not always, justifiable outrage.

— David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of justifiable

Browse Nearby Words

venging

venial

venom

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Venial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venial. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of venial

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes