noun

transgression

tranz-GRESH-un/trænzˈɡreʃn/

An act that breaks a rule or crosses a moral boundary.

Taking another person's wallet is a transgression of moral and legal boundaries.

Unauthorized taking of a wallet illustrates crossing a moral or legal boundary.

Etymology

transLatinacross, beyond

+gressLatinto walk, go

+ionLatinact or process

The pieces express an act of stepping across or beyond. That physical image became the crossing of a boundary set by divine or human law, hence an act of disobedience.

In context

aGATHERING14448:29

Sin is a transgression of the law. So if you eat things God said don't eat and it begin to kill you

Son of Perdition (Anti-Christ) & “The End of the World”

More examples

She apologizes for sharing the secret, but he cannot forgive the transgression.
Minor transgressions usually result in a warning rather than a fine.
He considers lying a moral transgression, even when nobody gets hurt.

Forms

transgression · transgressions

transgress verb — To break a rule or moral boundary.

transgressor noun — Someone who breaks a rule or moral boundary.

Similar words

violation: Emphasizes breaking an explicit rule, law, or protected right.
offense: Often emphasizes wrongdoing that deserves punishment or causes resentment.
breach: Emphasizes breaking an agreement, duty, or relationship of trust.