as in crime
a small mistake or fault that is not regarded as very bad or serious
His political career was marked by numerous peccadillos, but no huge scandals.
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Recent Examples of peccadillo
The creep then uses these peccadilloes to blackmail ostensibly good folks into all sorts of weird behavior — like convincing a guilty-conscience police officer to undermine the investigation, and when the cops get close, even to commit murder on his behalf.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Feb. 2023
He’s simply been willing to overlook a peccadillo or two if the guy’s good enough.
—Dallas News, 20 Feb. 2023
Sadly, performance and build quality didn’t live up to the promise, and fewer than 9,000 units were made by the time the entire operation was shuttered following John DeLorean’s white-powder peccadillo.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2022
Consumption is the peccadillo; flossing is the pardon.
—New York Times, 10 Aug. 2021
See All Example Sentences for peccadillo
Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Feb. 2023
He’s simply been willing to overlook a peccadillo or two if the guy’s good enough.
—Dallas News, 20 Feb. 2023
Sadly, performance and build quality didn’t live up to the promise, and fewer than 9,000 units were made by the time the entire operation was shuttered following John DeLorean’s white-powder peccadillo.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2022
Consumption is the peccadillo; flossing is the pardon.
—New York Times, 10 Aug. 2021
See All Example Sentences for peccadillo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peccadillo
Noun
-
His clemency toward those convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection – including seditious conspiracy and assaults on police officers – was different in key ways from the two previous efforts, by Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Ulysses S. Grant in 1873.—
David Cason,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
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Shih said a search of one suspect’s home yielded evidence related to the crimes, as well as a loaded handgun with an extended magazine.—
Jason Green,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Unfortunately, errors happen not just to us, but to others.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2025
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The pressure to manage heavy caseloads, navigate complex legal systems and meet client demands often leaves little room for error (or rest).—
Raquel Gomes,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The main purpose was to allow prospective employers — other federal agencies or local police — to check their backgrounds for misconduct.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
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Between fiscal years 2015 to 2019, agency inspectors general substantiated only 100 allegations of employee time and attendance misconduct or fraud out of a federal workforce of around 2.1 million employees (the GAO report did not include postal workers).—
Laura Doan,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The names include presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, who strenuously deny any wrongdoing.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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Benn had tested positive for clomiphene, a fertility drug used by women who struggle to ovulate, but repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Luther taught instead that God freely forgives the sins of believers.—
Michael Bruening,
The Conversation,
25 Feb. 2025
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The pope’s hospitalization comes during the Vatican’s celebration of the jubilee, a tradition in the Catholic Church dedicated to the remission of sins that occurs every 50 years.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC News,
22 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to peccadillo
Cite this Entry
“Peccadillo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peccadillo. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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