transgress

verb

trans·​gress tran(t)s-ˈgres 

tranz-

transgressed; transgressing; transgresses

intransitive verb

1

: to violate a command or law : sin

2

: to go beyond a boundary or limit

transitive verb

1

: to go beyond limits set or prescribed by : violate

transgress divine law

2

: to pass beyond or go over (a limit or boundary)

transgressive

tran(t)s-ˈgre-siv 

tranz-

adjective

transgressor

tran(t)s-ˈgre-sər 

tranz-

noun

Synonyms of transgress

• trespass
• fall
• wander

Examples of transgress in a Sentence

He who transgresses must seek forgiveness.

There are legal consequences for companies that transgress the rules.

Recent Examples on the Web

Engaging in what sociologist Staci Newmahr calls edgework, or risky behavior that transgresses social boundaries with another human, produces intimacy. —Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Marilyn Monroe was one of the most photographed women of her era, but Douglas Kirkland’s photojournalistic style captured the actress’s spontaneous side, transgressing the boundaries of celebrity photography. —Michael Soncin, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026

Like Rooster, the series presents as a character study of a man at a crossroads in his personal and professional lives: As Jimmy, Jason Segel is a grieving widower and frustrated therapist who begins to transgress his professional boundaries by bluntly telling his patients how to act. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 May 2026

The film transgresses time to show how greed, faith, desire and the hunger for meaning repeat themselves. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French transgresser, from Latin transgressus, past participle of transgredi to step beyond or across, from trans- + gradi to step — more at grade entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for transgress

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess

Kids Definition

transgress

verb

trans·​gress tran(t)s-ˈgres 

tranz-

1

: to go beyond limits set by : violate

transgress divine law

2

: to pass beyond or go over a limit or boundary

3

: to violate a command or law

transgressive

-ˈgres-iv 

adjective

transgressor

-ˈgres-ər 

noun

Etymology

from early French transgresser "to transgress," from Latin transgressus, past participle of transgredi "to step across or beyond," from trans- "across, beyond" and gradi "to step"

Legal Definition

transgress

transitive verb

trans·​gress tranz-ˈgres, trans- 

1

: to go beyond limits set or prescribed by : violate

2

: to pass beyond or go over (a limit or boundary)

intransitive verb

1

: to violate a law

2

: to go beyond a boundary or limit