transgress

IPA/trænzˈɡres/
KK[trænzɡrˈɛs]IPA/trænzˈɡres/

transgress — verb

  • transgresspresent simple I / you / we / they
  • transgresseshe / she / it
  • transgressedpast simple
  • transgressing-ing form

1. to do something that is not allowed by a law, rule, or moral standard — for exam

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveC1
Definition

to do something that is not allowed by a law, rule, or moral standard — for example, stealing from your employer or breaking a promise to a friend.

Example

Daniel never thought he would transgress company rules by sharing confidential files with a rival.

transgress + noun phrase (company rules)

The priest told the congregation that those who knowingly transgress must seek forgiveness.

intransitive use: who transgress

Common collocations
  • transgress the law
  • transgress a rule
  • transgress moral standards
  • transgress against someone
  • knowingly transgress
Synonyms
  • violate

    stronger and more legal in tone; often used for laws and rights

  • break

    everyday, neutral word; much more common in spoken English

  • disobey

    focuses on refusing to follow a command or authority

Antonyms
  • obey

    most direct opposite; to follow a rule or command

  • comply with

    formal; to act according to a rule or requirement

  • respect

    to show regard for a rule or boundary

Grammar Patterns

transgress + noun phrase

transgress (no object)

transgress against + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used in moral, legal, or religious contexts. In modern everyday English, speakers more commonly use 'break (the law / a rule)' or 'violate'. This sense is still common in formal writing, religious texts, and legal discussion.

Common Mistakes

He transgressed the teacher by shouting.
He was rude to the teacher by shouting.
'transgress' is not used for personal offences against people; it applies to laws, rules, or moral principles.

2. to go beyond what is considered acceptable, normal, or proper — for example, whe

2.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to go beyond what is considered acceptable, normal, or proper — for example, when a reporter reveals private details that most people would keep to themselves.

Example

The artist's latest work intentionally transgresses the boundary between painting and sculpture.

transgress + boundary between [two things]

Dario felt the tabloid had transgressed all acceptable limits of privacy by printing the photos.

transgress + limits of [something]

Common collocations
  • transgress boundaries
  • transgress limits
  • transgress conventions
  • transgress norms
  • transgress the boundary between
Synonyms
  • exceed

    more neutral and common; used for numbers, limits, expectations

  • go beyond

    everyday alternative; less formal than 'transgress'

  • overstep

    similar in tone; often used for social or behavioural boundaries

Antonyms
  • respect

    to stay within accepted limits

  • stay within

    everyday opposite; to not go beyond a boundary

  • observe

    formal; to follow rules or conventions

Grammar Patterns

transgress + noun phrase (boundary, limit, convention)

Usage Note

Often appears in discussions of art, social norms, or ethics. This sense is less serious than sense 1 — it can describe creative or intellectual rule-breaking rather than wrongdoing.

Common Mistakes

She transgressed the river to reach the other side.
She crossed the river to reach the other side.
'transgress' does NOT mean to physically cross a space; it means to go beyond an abstract limit or boundary.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Transgress', 'violate', 'break', 'disobey', and 'overstep' all describe going against a rule or limit, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Break' is the most neutral and common — you can break a law, a promise, or a rule in everyday speech. 'Violate' is more formal and serious, often used for fundamental rights or legal statutes ('violate the constitution'). 'Disobey' focuses on a direct command or authority figure ('disobey a parent' or 'disobey an order'). 'Overstep' is closer to sense 2 of 'transgress', describing the crossing of a social or behavioural boundary ('overstep your authority'). 'Transgress' sits at the formal end of the spectrum and carries a moral or religious weight that the others lack. For example, a journalist who breaks a story has done nothing wrong, but a journalist who transgresses the bounds of privacy has crossed a moral line.

violate ↗break ↗disobey ↗overstep ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'transgredī', meaning 'to step across' — formed from 'trans-' ('across') and 'gradī' ('to step' or 'to walk'). The idea is of a person physically stepping over a line or boundary. In English, the literal sense of crossing a physical line faded, leaving the figurative meaning of violating a law, rule, or moral limit.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1