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transgress Definition

trans·gress (trans gres′, tranz-)

transitive verb

  1. to overstep or break (a law, commandment, etc.)
  2. to go beyond (a limit, boundary, etc.)

Etymology: Fr transgresser < L transgressus, pp. of transgredi, to step over, pass over < trans-, trans- + gradi, to step, walk: see grade

intransitive verb

to break a law or commandment; sin

transgress Related Forms
trans·gres′·sive adjective trans·gres′·sor noun
transgress Synonyms

transgress

v.

sin, offend, do wrong, overstep, rebel, disobey, infringe, take the law into one's own hands, break the law, entrench on, encroach upon, write one's own ticket*, fly in the face of the law*.

transgress Usage Examples

Object

  • commandment: The fifth commandment transgressed, ' Honor thy father and thy mother ' ; the eighth, ' Thou shalt not steal ' .
  • bound: Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!
  • covenant: It is said, " They like Adam have transgressed the covenant.
  • boundary: Do not expect to be able to pull round a class that you have allowed to transgress the boundary by suddenly cracking the whip.
  • law: Now listen: right away he's transgressing the law.
  • limit: The Dutch finance ministry issued a dress code for staff saying that white socks " transgressed the limits of decent dress behavior " .

Preposition: against

  • rule: He sometimes transgresses against the rules of composition of contemporary art-music, and is stylistically very distinct from it.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: The just man does not transgress the rights of others or he safeguards their rights from being violated.
  • also: Coastal defense structures can also transgress the LWM boundary.
  • never: The sotapanna will never transgress the five precepts and he does not take sila for self.
  • again: This means that should Thatcher transgress again in the next two years he will be forced onto the sidelines for 15 games.
  • n't: As long as you do n't transgress the joke code.
  • slightly: Classes sit in silence, they copy out texts, no pupil dares to even slightly transgress.

Used with why or when

  • what: Haja went to great pains to avoid transgressing what was considered to be acceptable female behavior.

Preposition: beyond

  • bound: Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!

Preposition: in

  • matter: And indeed you knew those among you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath.
  • way: Should they transgress in any way, obviously the appropriate action would be taken.