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

Invoking a deliberately vague notion of licensee’s ‘public interest obligations,’ the Chairman has created a regulatory regime in which any broadcaster, including ABC, can be found guilty of transgressions at any time for seemingly any thing. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

The reason that's so significant is multifaceted, but his main transgression and the thing that ultimately lost him his job was the recent skid of the once-proud FSU football team. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

But for those who find (and in some cases may be slightly mystified as to why) that there is a nagging, needling value to Schrader’s ongoing project of tussling with grandiose dilemmas of transgression and deliverance, there is some new news here. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

Any transgression of new standards of speech and behavior could put someone at risk of social banishment, in the truly despotic shape of cancellation. — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 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