transgress

What does “transgress” mean?

verb.to infringe or go beyond the bounds of (a moral principle or other established standard of behavior).

SAT Usage

this verb often appears in contexts involving ethics, law, or personal conduct, emphasizing a violation of moral or societal boundaries. It suggests a deliberate choice to disregard established norms, differing from words like "violate," which can imply accidental or unintentional breaches.

Common Confusions

Transgress implies a deliberate choice to violate moral or societal norms, while infringe usually suggests a more passive or unintentional encroachment on rights or boundaries.

Example Sentences

• To transgress the law knowingly carries serious consequences.

• He refused to transgress the rules, even when no one was watching.

Word Parts: How to Remember “transgress”

Break “transgress” into its parts: trans- (across, beyond). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: trans- across, beyond (Latin)