Transgressing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in contexts where laws, agreements, or personal boundaries are broken. Often carries a strong negative connotation.

• He was fined for violating the city's noise ordinance.
• The scandal involved allegations that workers' rights were violated.

Used in the context of failing to adhere to rules, laws, or promises. Commonly applied to contracts, laws, or social norms.

• He didn't want to break the promise he made to his friend.
• She was fined for breaking the speed limit.

Specifically used to describe illegally entering someone's property or violating physical space. Carries a negative connotation.

• The children were caught trespassing in the abandoned building.
• She put up signs to discourage people from trespassing on her land.

Refers to intruding upon someone's rights or violating regulations, often used in legal or formal contexts.

• The new law could infringe on people's privacy rights.
• The company was sued for infringing on the patent.

Used when someone violates a rule, law, or moral principle. It has a formal tone and is often used in legal, religious, or moral contexts.

• She was caught transgressing the company's code of conduct

Mostly used in religious or moral contexts to indicate an action that goes against divine laws or moral principles. It often carries a heavy negative connotation.

• According to their beliefs, lying is considered a sin

Used in situations where there is a straightforward refusal to comply with rules, commands, or instructions. It’s common in everyday language, especially concerning parents, teachers, or regulations.

• Children often disobey their parents to test boundaries

Applicable when someone openly resists or refuses to obey. It's often used to describe acts of rebellion against authority.

• He chose to defy the curfew and stay out late