transgression

[ trans-gresh-uhn, tranz- ]

noun

1. an act of transgressing; violation of a law, command, etc.; sin.

transgression

/ trænzˈɡrɛʃən /

noun

1. a breach of a law, etc; sin or crime
2. the act or an instance of transgressing

Other Words From

• nontrans·gression noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of transgression¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin trānsgressiōn-, stem of trānsgressiō “passage across, transition, violation”; equivalent to transgress + -ion

Synonym Study

See breach.

Example Sentences

Their transgressions come as infections are climbing and hospital beds are filling up fast in California, according to data tracked by The Washington Post.

From Washington Post

In the future, all would be held accountable under Swiss law for transgressions across the world.

From Fortune

She requires accusers to be sure of their facts and to keep their condemnation in proportion to the transgressions.

From Washington Post

If Xi is simply seeking to humiliate India for perceived transgressions – and warn it off deepening ties with its security partners – he may now order his troops to pull back, having made his point.

From No Straight News

It was a very blatant transgression, if you will, or act of aggression.

From Freakonomics

Every page would carry its own proof of transgression, and thus its own guarantee of detection.

From The Daily Beast

The star is not entirely to blame for his hideous, hirsute transgression.

From The Daily Beast

It takes a transgression with real bite to inspire a furor of this intensity—Brangelina burn Jennifer!

From The Daily Beast

Keeping quiet about what he knows would be the greater transgression.

From The Daily Beast

And Don Draper is picking up the pieces—at work and at home—after his latest transgression.

From The Daily Beast

They will try to compel you to confession; and, though you are blameless, you will suffer the cruelest ordeal of transgression.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not necessary that he should be prevented from sinning, and his fall was the necessary effect of his transgression.

From Project Gutenberg

To those who are guilty, and without hope of escape, no doubt the lightness of the penalty of transgression gives consolation.

From Project Gutenberg

She was the first in the transgression therefore keep her in subjection.

From Project Gutenberg

They inherit a nature depraved by original transgression, and disposed to every wicked indulgence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breach
• crime
• error
• fault
• infraction
• infringement
• lapse
• misdeed
• misdemeanor
• sin
• wrongdoing