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

Professor of gender studies at California State University Stanislaus and editor of Transgress Press, which publishes books related to the transgender experience.

From Washington Post • Jul. 20, 2018

Transgress in 140 characters to and monitor my feed for the offensive.

From Slate • May 10, 2011

We also said unto them, Transgress not on the Sabbath-day.

From The Koran (Al-Qur'an) by Sale, George

Transgress not thy limits, nor claim that which...25:

From The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh by Bahá'u'lláh

He first sends Uriel down, "To drive the pair from Eden who have dared Transgress, so rash and blind, the primal law."

From Vondel's Lucifer by Vondel, Joost van den