transgress

American  

[trans-gres, tranz-] / trænsˈgrɛs, trænz- /

verb (used without object)

1. to violate a law, command, moral code, etc.; offend; sin.

   Synonyms:

   trespass, err

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verb (used with object)

1. to pass over or go beyond (a limit, boundary, etc.).

   to transgress bounds of prudence.

2. to go beyond the limits imposed by (a law, command, etc.); violate; infringe.

   to transgress the will of God.

   Synonyms:

   disobey, contravene

   Antonyms:

   obey

transgress British  

/ trænzˈɡrɛs /

verb

1. to break (a law, rule, etc)

2. to go beyond or overstep (a limit)

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Other Word Forms

• nontransgressive adjective
• nontransgressively adverb
• transgressive adjective
• transgressively adverb
• transgressor noun
• untransgressed adjective

Etymology

Origin of transgress

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin trānsgressus (past participle of trānsgredī “to step across”), equivalent to trāns- trans- + -gred- (combining form of gradī “to step”; see grade) + -tus past participle suffix, with dt becoming ss

Explanation

When you go beyond the boundaries, either physically or morally, you transgress. A river will transgress its banks as it floods, and students who cheat transgress school rules. Transgress sounds like and means nearly the same thing as trespass. When you transgress a rule, you're breaking it. Religions often talk about transgressing: for Christians, breaking a commandment is transgressing against God by violating his wishes. Any transgression is pushing through a boundary: like a neighbor transgressing by letting their dog into your yard: that's a physical and a legal type of transgressing. The dog got into your territory, and the owners broke a rule.

Example Sentences

Taking these points together, it becomes clear that the ordinary bounds of judicial review are capacious, and it would be extraordinarily rare for a state court to transgress them.

From Slate • Sep. 19, 2024

I’m always fascinated by what society does to allow themselves to do whatever to transgress.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2023

"There's nothing that upsets police officers more than to see their fellow officers transgress, commit crime, and commit awful misconduct offences," he said.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2023

“It could be another previous life, or some harm done to you, or a lack of self-knowledge that makes us transgress on our worldview,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 27, 2022

His views about the white man were devastating, but at no time did he transgress against my own personality and make me feel that I, as an individual, shared in the guilt.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey