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to transgress

to transgress

12 7.8
To do something that breaks a law, rule, or your idea of right and wrong
  • verb
  • /trænˈɡrɛs/
translation icon : transgredir
  • You have sinned in the past, transgressed against the holy commandments, but you shall find forgiveness here, and be cleansed.
  • transgressing boundaries
  • transgress social norms
  • transgress the law

The reason it's wrong is because it transgresses a divine command.

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Examples

  • Teachers also feel betrayed when a colleague transgresses moral and professional boundaries.

    Academic text (1991)
  • In doing so, are we permitted to transgress the rights of others?

  • ah, sometimes, you know, you have to transgress a little bit to help the greater good.

  • How far is one willing to transgress one identity in order to keep step with the other?

    Academic text (1999)
  • A message to all who would dare transgress the laws of this land.

  • When we transgress, social norms help keep us in line.

  • You have transgressed this law.

  • The reason it's wrong is because it transgresses a divine command.

  • You don't have the the right to transgress our norms.

  • The company was fined heavily for attempting to transgress environmental regulations.

Synonyms

to violate
vsto transgress
627 4.4

Break a law, rule, agreement, or promise

also covers moral wrongs as well as legal failures
to go against
vsto transgress
206 3.3

To act against a rule, law, or popular opinion

focuses more on committing a forbidden act than mere opposition
to go too far
vsto transgress
201 4.2

Say or do something that is not acceptable and may hurt people

covers similar excess but stresses rule or moral breach
to cross the line
vsto transgress
  • Informal
89 4.5

Act in a way that goes too far and is not right

is focused more on breaking rules or moral codes than manners
to trespass
vsto transgress
70 5.9

To go beyond a limit or rule without permission

also covers non-physical rule or moral boundary crossings
to infringe
vsto transgress
  • Formal
68 6.8

Break a rule or law and go against someone's rights

is broader, covering moral or rule breaches not only rights
to offend
vsto transgress
65 4.6

Break a law, rule, contract or promise

adds that it also means doing something morally unacceptable
to breach
vsto transgress
  • Formal
46 4.5

To break a rule, agreement, or promise

includes that sense but also covers moral transgression broadly
to sin
vsto transgress
41 3.5

To do something that breaks a religious or moral rule

includes secular and legal wrongs as well as moral ones
to overreach
vsto transgress
15 6.2

To go beyond what you are allowed to do

is about any forbidden act, not only excessive ambition or power
to overstep
vsto transgress
11 5.9

To go beyond a limit or rule

is similar but emphasizes illegality or moral wrong specifically
to step over the line
vsto transgress
  • Informal
10 5.0

Go beyond what people consider acceptable

is about breaking rules or morals rather than just noticeable crossing
to overstep the mark
vsto transgress
  • UK
3 6.2

To behave in a way people think is not acceptable

is more about violating formal rules or moral principles
to contravene
vsto transgress
  • Formal
2 8.2

To break a law, rule, or agreement

is about breaking rules more generally including moral limits
to cross the red line
vsto transgress
  • Literature
1 6.3

To go past a limit people set and cause serious problems

is broader, covering any unacceptable act, not only severe ones
to infract
vsto transgress
  • Archaic
9.9

To break a law, rule, contract, or promise

can mean any forbidden act, not only technical ones

Antonyms

411 1.0

Do what someone in charge tells you or follow a rule

96 3.2

Think and act like other people or follow rules

How Serious

to flout
12 7.9
to violate
627 4.4
to transgress
12 7.8
to misbehave
37 2.8
to err
50 5.5

Surface Forms

transgress infinitive
transgressed past participle
transgressing present participle
transgresses third person singular

Morphology

transgress = trans + gress

Built from the prefix 'trans-' (across/beyond) + the combining form 'gress' (go/step); because 'gress' is not a standalone English word, the composition is only partially obvious to typical learners despite the logical sense 'step beyond/violate'.

Etymology

The word transgress comes from the Latin parts trans- 'across' and gress 'step', the same root you see in progress and graduate. So to transgress is to 'step across' a limit, which is why it means to go beyond what is allowed or to break a rule.