transgression

noun trans·gres·sion \ -ˈgre-shən \

Definition of transgression

: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

See transgression defined for kids

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 of transgression from the Web

This is totally happening to me in 2036 for all my 2016 transgressions.

— paul dehner jr., Cincinnati.com, "Walkthru: Bengals and the AJ McCarron win-win-win," 11 Aug. 2017
A bit disappointing to find out this transgression that is simply Not Done evolved from a petty distinction in dressing that was invented to ID the Gatsby-ish imitators ::eyes roll back in head so hard::.

— chelsea peng, Marie Claire, "Why *Can't* You Wear White After Labor Day?," 1 Aug. 2017
Then a Chicago Tribune columnist goes further, calling for concrete blocks to wall off the most violent neighborhoods, an eerie reminder of past transgressions, like calls for internment.

— stacy jones, Fortune, "raceAhead: Five Breaking News Haikus," 22 July 2017
Reports are now leaking out of Saudi Arabia that al-Sweikat will soon be beheaded for his transgression.

— michael brendan dougherty, National Review, "Our Relationship with Saudi Arabia Is an Embarrassment," 20 July 2017
Instead, senior Trump administration officials sought to emphasize their deep concerns about Iran’s non-nuclear behavior and vowed that those transgressions won’t go unpunished.

— josh lederman, The Seattle Times, "US: Iran complying with nuclear deal but defying its spirit," 18 July 2017
Instead, senior Trump administration officials sought to emphasize their deep concerns about Iran's non-nuclear behavior and vowed that those transgressions won't go unpunished.

— josh lederman, chicagotribune.com, "Trump administration certifies Iran is complying with nuclear deal but defying its spirit," 17 July 2017
Our protagonist ultimately goes on a mission to atone for an old transgression.

— matthew quick, Philly.com, "Matthew Quick's 'Reason You're Alive': A feel-good sociopath's story," 16 July 2017
Our protagonist ultimately goes on a mission to atone for an old transgression.

— matthew quick, Philly.com, "Matthew Quick's 'Reason You're Alive': A feel-good sociopath's story," 16 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'transgression.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.