English vocabulary · C1
Transgression
/trænzˈɡreʃən/ · n.
It means crossing a rule or moral line, by doing something wrong. It can be small, or serious.
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Example sentences
- His transgression broke the team's trust.
- The lie became her worst transgression.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- trans — across (from Latin)
- gress — step (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- WRONG (an action violates basic moral standards)
- OFFENSE (behavior breaks a social or legal rule)
- SIN (a moral or religious law is broken)
Words with the same root
gradi — to step
- progress — to step forward — to move ahead or improve
- congress — a stepping together — a formal gathering or assembly
- digress — to step aside from the main path — to stray from the topic
Lesson notes
Transgression. It means crossing a rule or moral line, by doing something wrong. It can be small, or serious.
Similar words are wrong, offense, and sin. Use transgression when someone crosses a rule.
His transgression broke the team's trust. The lie became her worst transgression.
From Latin. Trans means across. Gress means step. Across a line: one step breaks a rule. That is transgression.