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

• breach
• crime
• debt
• error
• lawbreaking
• malefaction
• misdeed
• misdoing
• offense
• offence
• sin
• trespass
• violation
• wrongdoing

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

While the celebrities in these clothes aren’t explicitly transgressive figures, their presence in this world of high status is in a sense a form of transgression. —Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025

So while Monday’s incident might not have been as egregious as some of his past transgressions, the history plays a factor. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025

She would be forced to learn to enjoy the feeling of harmless transgression, as Heiss did. —Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025

Condemnation of Rudiger’s latest transgression has been swift, within Spain and well beyond. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 1 May 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