transgress

verb

trans·​gress tran(t)s-ˈgres 

tranz-

transgressed; transgressing; transgresses

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)

transgressive

tran(t)s-ˈgre-siv 

tranz-

adjective

transgressor

tran(t)s-ˈgre-sər 

tranz-

noun

Synonyms

• trespass
• fall
• wander

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

Nothing about the Commission's proceedings, moreover, transgressed the Seventh Amendment's jury trial guarantee. —Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025

Right now, researchers can say that the biosphere boundary has been transgressed on almost all land surfaces, mainly due to agriculture. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2025

But every post, photo, or story risks transgressing invisible social landmines of what is and isn’t acceptable. —Alessandra Schade, Time, 5 Aug. 2025

While Simone and Roberta toe a dangerous line and train for a marathon together, Simone’s husband and fellow professor Ethan transgresses with the department’s secretary, despite his devotion to his wife. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French transgresser, from Latin transgressus, past participle of transgredi to step beyond or across, from trans- + gradi to step — more at grade entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for transgress

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess

Kids Definition

transgress

verb

trans·​gress tran(t)s-ˈgres 

tranz-

1

: to go beyond limits set by : violate

transgress divine law

2

: to pass beyond or go over a limit or boundary

3

: to violate a command or law

transgressive

-ˈgres-iv 

adjective

transgressor

-ˈgres-ər 

noun

Etymology

from early French transgresser "to transgress," from Latin transgressus, past participle of transgredi "to step across or beyond," from trans- "across, beyond" and gradi "to step"

Legal Definition

transgress

transitive verb

trans·​gress tranz-ˈgres, trans- 

1

: to go beyond limits set or prescribed by : violate

2

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

intransitive verb

1

: to violate a law

2

: to go beyond a boundary or limit