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

An act of violence so heinous as that which took Kruglov’s life marks a sharp break in that social contract unlike many, or any, other transgressions could. —Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025

Our tradition commands us to refrain from ona’at devarim—causing harm through words—teaching that even unintentional speech that causes emotional pain is a transgression. —Andrew Weinstein, Time, 12 Sep. 2025

Consistent with the totality of circumstances approach, the memorandum states that USCIS will look for evidence of genuine rehabilitation for individuals who have transgressions. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Usually there’s some history of misunderstandings, hurt feelings or real transgressions. —Ingrid Schmidt, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 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