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

• 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

So judges are not giving out political decisions but are acting because people transgress the law. —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2025

Failing to notify Congress before making major changes to the agency may have transgressed the Administrative Procedures Act, and freezing money appropriated by Congress for foreign aid could be in violation of the Impoundment Control Act. —Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 9 Feb. 2025

From the beginning, alongside the rules for building in the style of the ancients, Renaissance architects set forth rules for transgressing them. —Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025

In the 1940s, these short films set to music transgressed Hollywood’s racial mythology to create space for Black artists to experiment—and have fun. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 31 Jan. 2025

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