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

But Lauren also has to answer for her mother’s transgressions. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Things that people think are morally abnormal – aberrant behavior, transgressions, violations of their most sacred values – are viewed as highly threatening and necessary to shut down, with force if necessary. —Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025

And there’s a transgression to that that is interesting. —Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025

On Thursday morning, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, held a hearing in the A.P.’s lawsuit to block the President’s latest and arguably most flagrant ever transgression of the First Amendment in his effort to control coverage of himself. —Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for transgression

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

Kids Definition

transgression

noun

trans·​gres·​sion tran(t)s-ˈgresh-ən 

tranz-

: an act, process, or example of transgressing