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

Dozens of women came forward on social media, to each other and to NPR, fed up with the industry's tolerance of men's transgressions and predatory behavior. —Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 28 May 2024

Winning countless Emmys and two Golden Globes for Best Miniseries or Television Film in 2017 and 2019, FX's anthology series American Crime Story dives into infamous historical transgressions ingrained in the American psyche. —EW.com, 27 May 2024

The transgressions went viral, not the sort of global connection and sharing that the organizers were hoping for. —James Poniewozik, New York Times, 24 May 2024

Then and only then, after wife or husband had exhausted the litany of the other’s transgressions, could a judge declare them no longer a couple. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 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