infringe

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb infringe differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of infringe are encroach, invade, and trespass. While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

When is it sensible to use encroach instead of infringe?

In some situations, the words encroach and infringe are roughly equivalent. However, encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions.

the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples

When can invade be used instead of infringe?

While in some cases nearly identical to infringe, invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

When might trespass be a better fit than infringe?

The synonyms trespass and infringe are sometimes interchangeable, but trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of infringe His lawyers said his case brought up two key questions: whether psychological suffering is a consideration in challenges to the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, and whether the mask used to apply the nitrogen gas infringed upon his religious practices as a Buddhist. Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, has experienced first-hand how artificial intelligence can be used to infringe on personal privacy. Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025 In 2020, the court said that the free speech rights of conversion therapists were being infringed upon by a ban, enjoining bans on conversion therapy in three states—Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 Mar. 2025 Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful. New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infringe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infringe
Verb
  • Earlier in the episode, Whitfield and Lindy violate Mabel — then pour hot coffee on her — before Whitfield pushes her down on the breakfast table and rapes her.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Not the least of which is that the terms of the settlement clearly violate antitrust law, which was the grounds for the lawsuit in the first place.
    Joe Sabin, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Safety concerns cannot be allowed to impinge on supporters’ experiences and detract from what is an otherwise world-class venue.
    Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Routine maintenance, like clearing brush impinging on power lines, got deferred, and aging equipment wasn’t replaced.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2018
Verb
  • Swollen rivers could breach their banks in the coming days as floodwater filters back into area waterways.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In 2024, the planet breached 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial temperatures, an ominous milestone—and a reminder of the urgency with which the world must tackle this challenge.
    TIME PR, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And invading the Crusaders home turf Tuesday afternoon was Christian, ranked No. 1 in the section.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Decades after the United States invaded Panama in 1989, Samuel Castañeda says the sounds and smells of that night – armored tanks rumbling, houses burning, and bullets flying around his neighborhood – still loom large in his memory.
    Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In 2024 alone, Russia, China, and Iran all intruded on our elections.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The first hit is free, as per usual, and after the honeymoon period, ads will intrude into the Friends tab too.
    John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • With a Labour government entrenched until at least 2029, that’s unlikely to happen anytime, but the big brands are also big planners, and always thinking about the success of the next generation.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • By now, the idea is firmly entrenched: pockets are a given for men’s clothing, but expendable for women’s.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infringe. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infringe

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