1
as in offences
a breaking of a moral or legal code
acts that are transgressions against the laws of civilized societies everywhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violations
a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation
a dying woman asking for divine forgiveness for a lifetime of transgressions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of transgressions
The two movies do share a portrait of capitalism in extremis, in which the race to hold onto increasingly smaller pieces of a rapidly dissolving pie feeds more surreal transgressions.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2025
There’s so much crime that the transgressions seldom register.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
But his past transgressions are never far from his memory.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024
Grýla is a notorious figure in Icelandic folklore, being a towering ogre witch with many tails who punishes children for their transgressions.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 22 Nov. 2024
And then he is essentially penalized for his transgressions with — spoiler alert — death by laser.
—Fran Tirado, Them, 15 Oct. 2024
In their minds, these affairs were minor transgressions—hardly something worth ending a relationship over.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
But their transgressions are usually consensual.
—Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024
The state attorney’s transgressions against the system and public trust demand nothing less than a public conviction.
—Adam Farkas, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2024
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2025
There’s so much crime that the transgressions seldom register.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
But his past transgressions are never far from his memory.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024
Grýla is a notorious figure in Icelandic folklore, being a towering ogre witch with many tails who punishes children for their transgressions.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 22 Nov. 2024
And then he is essentially penalized for his transgressions with — spoiler alert — death by laser.
—Fran Tirado, Them, 15 Oct. 2024
In their minds, these affairs were minor transgressions—hardly something worth ending a relationship over.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
But their transgressions are usually consensual.
—Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024
The state attorney’s transgressions against the system and public trust demand nothing less than a public conviction.
—Adam Farkas, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transgressions
Noun
-
The bills, named for the global pop star — and the frantic rush to get tickets for her shows around the country — strengthen penalties for using bots to buy tickets in bulk and give the state attorney general the ability to investigate potential violations of the law.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Like Prairie Village, Leawood focuses on education and safety before writing violations if an officer stops an e-bike or e-scooter operator.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those who dismissed intersectionality saw such policies as little more than allowing the disadvantaged to commit crimes without consequences to make up for past inequities, afflicting crime victims from the same disadvantaged communities.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Released in September 2025, Blood & Myth follows the Iñupiaq man and respected actor Teddy Kyle Smith, who became a fugitive following a string of violent crimes in the remote town of Kiana, Alaska.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After Knull’s fall, Hela is imprisoned in the An'Hay-Zhidi, where Dizang—Devil of the Eighth City—dares her to atone for her sins.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
In Christian lore, the sycamore also symbolizes repentance, humility, and forgiveness of one’s sins, evoked by the story of the tax collector Zacchaeus, who climbed one to see Jesus.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Transgressions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transgressions. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share