transgressions
Crosses forbidden lines
Transgressions are acts that violate rules, laws, or moral boundaries.
The word carries a sense of crossing a line that shouldn't be crossed, whether legal, ethical, or social.
Religious contexts often use transgression to mean sin or violation of divine law.
In everyday use, transgressions range from minor social missteps to serious offenses: He apologized for his past transgressions.
The singular transgression and verb transgress share this sense of boundary violation.
Violation of divine law
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- wickednessMoral corruption or evil
- immoralityQuality of being wicked
- viceBad habit or deputy
guilt · shame · depravity · iniquity · evil · misconduct · dishonor · corruption
Punishable illegal act
- violationBreaking of rules
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- infractionMinor rule breach
- breachBreaking of agreement
infringement · misdemeanor · felony · trespass · contravention · noncompliance · lawbreaking · criminality
Exceeding appropriate bounds
- encroachmentGradual intrusion on territory
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
crossing · exceeding · bounds · limits · territory · borders · threshold · violation
Open resistance to authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
subversion · revolt · protest · mutiny · sedition · nonconformity · civil disobedience · insurrection
Cultural or social prohibition
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
deviance · nonconformity · disrespect · rudeness · offense · insult · outrage · affront
sin
Violation of divine law
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- wickednessMoral corruption or evil
- immoralityQuality of being wicked
vice · guilt · shame · depravity · iniquity · evil · misconduct · dishonor · corruption · remorse
crime
Punishable illegal act
- violationBreaking of rules
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- infractionMinor rule breach
breach · infringement · misdemeanor · felony · trespass · contravention · noncompliance · lawbreaking · criminality · illegality
overstepping
Exceeding appropriate bounds
- encroachmentGradual intrusion on territory
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- invasionForcible entry into territory
trespass · crossing · exceeding · bounds · limits · territory · borders · threshold · violation · incursion
defiance
Open resistance to authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- dissentDisagreement with authority
resistance · subversion · revolt · protest · mutiny · sedition · nonconformity · civil disobedience · insurrection · uprising
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
scandal · deviance · nonconformity · disrespect · rudeness · offense · insult · outrage · affront · misbehavior
- violationsviolation, infractions, infraction, breach, consent violation
- wrongdoingscrime, crimes, sin, sins, wrongdoing
- flawsfaults, defect, flaw, blemish, flaws
- mischiefmischief, hijinks, antics, pranks, antic
transgressionsvirtues
Positive moral traits
good deeds · righteous acts · uprightness · rectitude · probity
transgressionscompliance
Adhering to requirements
adherence · adherences · conformity · observances · rule-following
- minor transgressionSmall wrongdoing, easily forgiven
- moral transgressionViolation of ethical standards