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

In an era of outrage overflow, this latest transgression will do little more than add to the disgust of those who presume the rules are different at the top. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

In fact, airlines publish a whole laundry list of such transgressions. —Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2024

But many observers worry that under Trump, the growing Republican hostility toward higher education could result in new rules that target universities for alleged political transgressions rather than any streamlining. —Byjeffrey Mervis, science.org, 16 Oct. 2024

Given that recent history, imagine if Hunter Biden’s mid-December sentencing included years in prison—for transgressions that experts say are rarely prosecuted. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 2 Dec. 2024

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