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 most influential depiction of the Fall outside of the Bible is in John Milton’s Paradise Lost, which depicts Satan-as-the-serpent as an eloquent charmer who gently persuades Eve to commit the transgression known as original sin, which tarnishes humanity in perpetuity. —Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025

The line felt dumb and flaccid, derivative in an irritating rather than with-it sense, and lacking the transgression found in good gallows humor. —Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025

That wasn’t the case with Utah, which has more wins (15) than losses (12) and plenty left to play for. — An off-the-court transgression violates contract terms and/or embarrasses the university. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025

But Michaels reveres the comedian, forgave his transgression, and persuaded him to return to host the first show of 2025. —Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 11 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