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

The accusations surfaced in 2012 when a recording of Collins allegedly confessing his transgressions to a therapist was leaked to TMZ. —Kc Baker, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025

In the Canucks game, his only transgression was getting caught in a scrum while coming to the aid of Lukas Reichel. —Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

Many believe that, transgressions aside, Rose should be in the Hall of Fame. —Dan Freedman, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

The spirit of transgression that runs throughout Amis’s work seemed continually to hearken to that which lay outside English literature’s parameters. —Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 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