TRANSGRESSION Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

transgression

noun

tran(t)s-ˈgre-shən

Definition of transgression

as in violation

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

as in infringement

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 transgression An old friend of Toby’s, Burt popped into his office and ended up seeking protection under whistleblower laws for transgressions by his chemical company. — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 Invoking a deliberately vague notion of licensee’s ‘public interest obligations,’ the Chairman has created a regulatory regime in which any broadcaster, including ABC, can be found guilty of transgressions at any time for seemingly any thing. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026 The reason that's so significant is multifaceted, but his main transgression and the thing that ultimately lost him his job was the recent skid of the once-proud FSU football team. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026 But for those who find (and in some cases may be slightly mystified as to why) that there is a nagging, needling value to Schrader’s ongoing project of tussling with grandiose dilemmas of transgression and deliverance, there is some new news here. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for transgression

Recent Examples of Synonyms for transgression

Noun

And unlike state authorities who can be sued for civil rights violations in state courts, federal law enforcement authorities are generally shielded from such lawsuits based on legal precedents.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Chicago should provide workable loading zones, preserve first-offense warnings, and publicly report whether violations and crashes actually decline.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

That followed a patent infringement suit brought by the biotech company Halozyme Therapeutics over its own subcutaneous drug delivery platform.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Our maisons handle trademark infringement in many countries very regularly, including China.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of infringement

Noun

Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, previously noted his client had never been convicted of a crime.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Catholic teaching still calls suicide a grave sin, but recognizes mental illness can diminish responsibility; advocates want mental health ministries in parishes worldwide.

— Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
If the sin of Mars’ album was being too predictable, Styles’ bold and unexpected Kiss All the Time.

— Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Browse Nearby Words

transgressing

transgression

transgressions

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Transgression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transgression. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of transgression

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes