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 of transgression

• 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

Edwards was fined a total of $420,000 by the league last season for eight different transgressions, mostly for profane language in postgame interviews. —CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

Before the August 2025 move to the big house, aka the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Miami, Thomas owned up to his transgressions. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

When someone extends their hand in friendship to make up for past transgressions, welcoming that gesture is the right thing to do. —Cary Lowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

After all, scholars have been assuring us for years that disco was a site of subversion, liberation, and transgression, and yet these findings clearly did not trouble the MAGA gang. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

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