Definition

1. Verb:
   • To go beyond or over a limit or boundary: To exceed or pass outside of established limits, boundaries, or rules.
   • To violate a law, rule, or moral principle: To break or act in disregard of a law, commandment, social norm, or ethical code.
   • (Geology) To spread over land, as the sea over a shoreline: For a body of water, especially the sea, to extend over land areas, often due to a rise in sea level or subsidence of the land.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The new policy transgresses the boundaries of personal privacy. (It goes beyond acceptable limits.)
  • He transgressed the law by driving without a license. (He violated the law.)
  • According to the scriptures, to lie is to transgress. (To lie is to sin or violate a moral law.)
  • Ancient maps show how the sea transgressed the coastline centuries ago. (The sea spread over the former coastline.)

Advanced Usage

• "to transgress against": To sin against or violate one's duty towards someone or something.
  • He felt he had transgressed against his friend's trust.
• Used in formal, legal, or religious contexts to denote serious violations.
  • The treaty forbids any action that transgresses its core principles.

Variants and Related Words

• Transgression (n): The act or an instance of transgressing; a sin or offense.
  • Forgiveness was sought for his transgression.
• Transgressor (n): A person who transgresses.
  • The transgressor was held accountable.

Synonyms

• Violate: To break or fail to comply with (a rule or formal agreement).
• Infringe: To actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.).
• Overstep: To go beyond (a limit or boundary).
• Sin: To commit an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.

Antonyms

• Obey: To comply with the command, direction, or request of (a person, law, etc.).
• Observe: To fulfill or comply with (a social, legal, ethical, or religious obligation).
• Respect: To have due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others; to avoid violating.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Transgress the bounds/limits of": To exceed what is considered acceptable or proper.
  • His criticism transgressed the bounds of civil discourse.
• While not a phrasal verb, the construction "transgress against" is a common collocation, especially with moral or religious laws.
  • To transgress against the commandments.

Verb

1. pass beyond (limits or boundaries)
2. commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law
3. spread over land, especially along a subsiding shoreline
   • The sea transgresses along the West coast of the island
4. act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
   • offend all laws of humanity
   • violate the basic laws or human civilization
   • break a law
   • break a promise