transgress

verb

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trans·gress | \ tran(t)s-ˈgres

, tranz- \

transgressed; transgressing; transgresses

Definition of transgress

intransitive verb

1 : to violate a command or law : sin

2 : to go beyond a boundary or limit

transitive verb

1 : to go beyond limits set or prescribed by : violate transgress divine law

2 : to pass beyond or go over (a limit or boundary)

Other Words from transgress Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about transgress

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Other Words from transgress

transgressive \ tran(t)s-ˈgre-siv

, tranz- \ adjective

transgressor \ tran(t)s-ˈgre-sər

, tranz- \ noun

Synonyms for transgress

Synonyms

Examples of transgress in a Sentence

He who transgresses must seek forgiveness. There are legal consequences for companies that transgress the rules.

Recent Examples on the Web Nonetheless, to act violently on the basis of such fictions – and to transgress against the humanity of others for nothing at all – is perhaps the most nihilistic act of them all. — Ani Kokobobo, The Conversation, "Dostoevsky warned of the strain of nihilism that infects Donald Trump and his movement," 13 Jan. 2021 Through it all, Chicagoans went to the movies, usually to escape the realities of the day, sometimes to transgress a little or to see what everybody was talking about. — Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, "By the decade: What Chicago moviegoers watched on New Year’s Day," 31 Dec. 2020 At times, the legislative or executive branches may transgress the boundaries the people established in the Constitution. — Brian Hagedorn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Opinion: Originalism, which Amy Coney Barrett espouses, simply means the words of the Constitution are the law.," 15 Oct. 2020 When my children transgressed in some minor way, Disney employees very gently corrected them. — Oliver Staley, Quartz, "How I learned to survive Disney and love the Mouse," 5 Mar. 2020 Rael, an architect, explores the area near the border fence outside El Paso with an eye tuned to reimagining the space around him and plotting ways to transgress it. — Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, "Border-Town Life Defies the Wall in “Borderlands”," 12 Nov. 2019 However well-intentioned, the court nonetheless transgresses the limits of its authority. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Conservative justices decry civil trial suspensions in commitment, parental rights cases," 1 Apr. 2020 Barrett believes this transgresses the FDA's allowance, observing in particular that use for depression could be dangerous. — Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, "Meet the Controversial Doctor Behind the Dr. Phil Empire," 27 Feb. 2020 Authors and illustrators are being flamed online and having their reputations traduced and their careers threatened for transgressing the capricious new standards of ideological purity. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, "Children’s Books: All Woke—and All Winners," 31 Jan. 2020

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