Word
transgression
Phoneticstrans·gres·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/tɹænzˈɡɹɛʃən/
UK/tɹænsɡɹˈɛʃən/
Definitions
01breaking a rule or law
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. an act that goes against a law, a religious rule, or a moral duty.
n. a violation of a law, commandment, or duty. Often used in legal or religious contexts to describe a specific instance of wrongdoing.
“The judge decided that his minor transgression did not deserve a prison sentence.”
“The committee viewed the unauthorized disclosure of documents as a grave transgression of the organization's ethical guidelines.”
Usage
Countable when referring to specific acts; uncountable when referring to the state of breaking rules.
Antonyms
02crossing a social boundary
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. doing something that is not usually accepted by society or goes beyond normal limits.
n. an act that exceeds generally accepted social, artistic, or behavioral boundaries.
“Her new film explores the transgression of traditional gender roles in the 1950s.”
“The artist's work was celebrated for its deliberate transgression of aesthetic norms, challenging the audience's perception of beauty.”
Teaching tip
In academic writing, this often refers to breaking social 'norms' rather than literal laws.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03sea level rise
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. a rise in sea level that causes the ocean to cover land that was previously dry.
n. a relative rise in sea level resulting in the deposition of marine strata over terrestrial strata.
“The geological record shows a major marine transgression that occurred millions of years ago.”
“During periods of global warming, marine transgression can lead to the flooding of coastal basins and significant changes in sedimentary patterns.”
Usage
Usually refers to 'marine transgression' in a geological context.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“As they get older, their sense of fairness becomes increasingly sophisticated: They not only expect violations to be punished but also understand that punishment should be proportional to the severity of a transgression.” “What they share is an ideology that men ought to dominate women, that transgression of the natural gender order deserves punishment and that violence in service of restoring the natural gender order is legitimate.” Etymology
From Middle English transgressioun, from Old French transgression, from Late Latin trānsgressiō, from Latin trānsgressus (perfect active participle of trānsgredior (“I step across”)) + -iō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/transgression