transgression

noun

trans·​gres·​sion tran(t)s-ˈgre-shən 

tranz-

: an act, process, or instance of transgressing: such as

a

: infringement or violation of a law, command, or duty

b

: the spread of the sea over land areas and the consequent unconformable deposit of sediments on older rocks

Synonyms

• offence
• violation
• crime
• sin

Examples of transgression in a Sentence

acts that are transgressions against the laws of civilized societies everywhere

a dying woman asking for divine forgiveness for a lifetime of transgressions

Recent Examples on the Web

For the second transgression, the member would be silenced for two legislative days. —Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Will the schools report suspicious activity, invite Seeley to town and hand over whatever evidence helps expose transgressions committed by a million-dollar donor who is also helping to fund the new engineering building? —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 10 June 2025

There is a woman from Bangladesh who has been slapped, pushed and struck on the head for minor transgressions. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025

However, Johnson remains confident that the legislation will help the country shift away from past transgressions. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 1 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for transgression

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

Kids Definition

transgression

noun

trans·​gres·​sion tran(t)s-ˈgresh-ən 

tranz-

: an act, process, or example of transgressing