What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
breach
Example
The company was sued for breach of contract. [breach: noun]
Example
He breached the security system and gained unauthorized access. [breached: past tense]
transgression
Example
His transgression of stealing from the store led to his arrest. [transgression: noun]
Example
She was punished for transgressing the school's dress code. [transgressing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Breach is more commonly used than transgression in everyday language, especially in legal and business contexts. Transgression is less common but can be used in various contexts to describe violations of moral or societal norms.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between breach and transgression?
While breach is typically associated with a more formal tone, transgression is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to convey a range of severity and moral judgment.