Synonyms of transgression

transgression

noun

tran(t)s-ˈgre-shən 

1

as in violation

a breaking of a moral or legal code

acts that are transgressions against the laws of civilized societies everywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violation
• crime
• sin
• felony
• trespass
• wrongdoing
• misdeed
• sinfulness
• error
• breach
• debt
• offense
• lawbreaking
• malefaction
• misdoing
• misconduct
• infringement
• misdemeanor
• misfeasance
• hate crime
• wickedness
• abuse
• corruption
• immorality
• fault
• iniquity
• criminality
• bias crime
• illegality
• peccadillo
• licentiousness
• unlawfulness
• foible
• depravity
• vice
• debauchery
• lawlessness
• break
• downfall
• iniquitousness
• fall
• descent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocence
• blamelessness
• righteousness
• virtue
• morality
• impeccability
• goodness
• noncrime
• guiltlessness
• faultlessness
• virtuousness
• irreproachability

2

as in infringement

a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation

a dying woman asking for divine forgiveness for a lifetime of transgressions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violation
• infringement
• breach
• infraction
• trespass
• contravention
• sin
• offense
• misconduct
• misdemeanor
• disregard
• ignoring
• forgetting
• neglect
• misfeasance
• intrusion
• wrong
• invasion
• delinquency
• encroachment
• misprision
• nonobservance
• overlooking
• dereliction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• observance
• respecting
• noninfringement
• upholding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of transgression

The administration’s hostility to the principle and mechanisms of international legal accountability makes eminent if cynical sense in light of its many transgressions. — Anjali Dayal, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Belieu’s poems take place in the unfailingly disappointing real world, lit by the beauty of compromises and transgressions. — Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

But Ward also faces the risk of developing bad habits and seeing transgressions snowball while sucking the life out of his team. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2026

An old friend of Toby’s, Burt popped into his office and ended up seeking protection under whistleblower laws for transgressions by his chemical company. — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026