1
as in crimes
a breaking of a moral or legal code
acts that are transgressions against the laws of civilized societies everywhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in infringements
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of transgressions
The Bible teaches us to seek forgiveness for transgressions and repentance for our mistakes.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Edwards was fined a total of $420,000 by the league last season for eight different transgressions, mostly for profane language in postgame interviews.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Before the August 2025 move to the big house, aka the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Miami, Thomas owned up to his transgressions.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
When someone extends their hand in friendship to make up for past transgressions, welcoming that gesture is the right thing to do.
—Cary Lowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Miss Manners is at least relieved that your family’s transgressions are limited to eating sloppily, which doesn’t harm others.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
These transgressions had gone down famously well, but Tomlinson was still, in some ways, working through the emotional fallout of a conservative-Christian upbringing and a career forged in the parallel universe of the Christian comedy circuit.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
His work has received more than two dozen national awards, including a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting in 1987 with two colleagues for a series revealing transgressions in the Philadelphia court system.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
With 14 new players on the roster, past transgressions mattered less to the Aggies than proving themselves right.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 17 Jan. 2026
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Edwards was fined a total of $420,000 by the league last season for eight different transgressions, mostly for profane language in postgame interviews.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Before the August 2025 move to the big house, aka the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Miami, Thomas owned up to his transgressions.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
When someone extends their hand in friendship to make up for past transgressions, welcoming that gesture is the right thing to do.
—Cary Lowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Miss Manners is at least relieved that your family’s transgressions are limited to eating sloppily, which doesn’t harm others.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
These transgressions had gone down famously well, but Tomlinson was still, in some ways, working through the emotional fallout of a conservative-Christian upbringing and a career forged in the parallel universe of the Christian comedy circuit.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
His work has received more than two dozen national awards, including a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting in 1987 with two colleagues for a series revealing transgressions in the Philadelphia court system.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
With 14 new players on the roster, past transgressions mattered less to the Aggies than proving themselves right.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transgressions
Noun
-
Dorothy’s job was to get her hands on the checkbooks of wealthy men who for family and business reasons, had difficulty reporting her crimes.—
Kevin Foster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The government had its own crimes to cover up.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Montana led the nation in passing legislation that limits infringements on the ability of any resident to make full use of AI and related technologies.—
Neil Chilson,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The framework now chosen must address significant constitutional and European legal concerns and avoid serious infringements on entrepreneurial freedom of decision-making, program design and supply.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their sins will be washed away by the waters of liberty.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Whatever Heidegger’s political sins, his philosophy restores a clarity our therapeutic culture fears.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The establishment is currently closed, and signage posted on the door indicates the business is facing multiple liquor license violations, including serving minors.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Thursday's hearing gave House investigators an opportunity to lay out their findings and make a motion for the panel of lawmakers to adopt their conclusion that Cherfilus-McCormick committed 27 ethics violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Transgressions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transgressions. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
