transgress
Violate a rule
To transgress is to cross a boundary or violate a rule—moral, social, or legal.
The word carries weight: you transgress against God's commandments, against social norms, against established boundaries.
A transgression is the act itself, often implying guilt or wrongdoing.
The term appears frequently in religious and ethical contexts, where it suggests willful violation rather than mere mistake.
Exceed proper limits
- breachBreaking of agreement
- crossPass from side to side
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- encroachAdvance beyond proper limits
infringe · violate · exceed · intrude · contravene · flout · disregard · defy
Violation of the hallowed
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- profaneIrreverent toward the sacred
- desecrateViolate what's sacred
defile · unholy · impious · irreverent · godless · apostasy · excommunication · anathema
Violation of divine law
- wickednessMoral corruption or evil
- iniquityMoral wrongdoing, grave injustice
- immoralityQuality of being wicked
- viceBad habit or deputy
depravity · wrongdoing · corruption · temptation · fallen · impurity · defilement · profanity
Resist or challenge openly
- rebelAuthority defier
- disobeyRefuse to comply
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- dissentDisagreement with authority
resistance · mutiny · revolt · defiance · subversion · sedition · insurgency · protest
Cultural or social prohibition
- forbiddenNot allowed
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
- stigmaMark of dishonor
ostracism · scandal · propriety · decorum · convention · norm · etiquette · unseemly
Punishable illegal act
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- violationBreaking of rules
- infractionMinor rule breach
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
felony · lawbreaking · criminal · illegal · unlawful · statute · ordinance · code
overstep
Exceed proper limits
encroach · infringe · violate · exceed · intrude · contravene · flout · disregard · defy · impinge
sacrilege
Violation of the hallowed
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- profaneIrreverent toward the sacred
desecrate · defile · unholy · impious · irreverent · godless · apostasy · excommunication · anathema · forbidden
sin
Violation of divine law
- wickednessMoral corruption or evil
- iniquityMoral wrongdoing, grave injustice
- immoralityQuality of being wicked
vice · depravity · wrongdoing · corruption · temptation · fallen · impurity · defilement · profanity · sinner
defy
Resist or challenge openly
- rebelAuthority defier
- disobeyRefuse to comply
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
dissent · resistance · mutiny · revolt · defiance · subversion · sedition · insurgency · protest · challenge
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
- forbiddenNot allowed
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
stigma · ostracism · scandal · propriety · decorum · convention · norm · etiquette · unseemly · unacceptable
crime
Punishable illegal act
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- violationBreaking of rules
- infractionMinor rule breach
misdemeanor · felony · lawbreaking · criminal · illegal · unlawful · statute · ordinance · code · regulation
transgresswalk the straight and narrow
Maintain ethical conduct
repent · atone · behave · forgive · make amends
- minor transgressionSmall wrongdoing, easily forgiven
- moral transgressionViolation of ethical standards
transgression, transgressor, transgressive, transgressing, transgressed, transgressors, transgresses