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

• breach
• crime
• debt
• error
• lawbreaking
• malefaction
• misdeed
• misdoing
• offense
• offence
• sin
• trespass
• violation
• wrongdoing

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

There’s the tightly wound mom, Rebekah (Lucy Liu); the depressed dad, Chris (Chris Sullivan), who’s distracted by some unspecified transgression in his past; and two teenage kids: Tyler (Eddy Maday) and Chloe (Callina Liang), both of whom are mourning the recent, tragic loss of a friend. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2025

Each of these transgressions merits deeper discussion. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025

Some of United’s positional transgressions feel like a product of information paralysis: a team conflicted between following Amorim’s precise instructions and their instincts. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

Ernesto Cuesta, president of the Brickell Homeowners Association, which endorsed Covo, said her opponents unfairly conflated her actions with those of her colleagues accused of serious transgressions. —Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

transgression

noun

trans·​gres·​sion tran(t)s-ˈgresh-ən 

tranz-

: an act, process, or example of transgressing