Legal Definitions - transitory wrong

A transitory wrong is a type of legal wrong that, once committed, cannot be undone. It is an act that violates someone's legal rights and is considered a breach of legal duty. Examples of transitory wrongs include defamation, which is a false statement that harms someone's reputation, and assault, which is the threat of physical harm.

For instance, if someone spreads false rumors about you that damage your reputation, that is a transitory wrong. Even if they later apologize or retract their statement, the damage has already been done and cannot be undone. Similarly, if someone threatens to harm you, that is a transitory wrong because the threat has already been made and cannot be taken back.

Transitory wrongs are different from continuing wrongs, which are ongoing violations that can be corrected through specific enforcement. An example of a continuing wrong is the nonpayment of a debt, which can be corrected by requiring the debtor to pay what they owe.