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An infraction is usually the breaking of a law, rule, or agreement. So a nation charged with an infraction of an international treaty will usually have to pay a penalty. In Federal law, an infraction is even smaller than a misdemeanor, and the only penalty is a fine. Most of us occasionally commit infractions of parking laws and get ticketed; speeding tickets are usually for infractions as well, though they go on a permanent record and can end up costing you money for years to come. The closely related word infringement generally refers to a violation of a right or privilege; use of another's writings without permission, for example, may be an infringement of the copyright.
Examples of infraction in a Sentence
Alex Harrington, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
The Kings and Isles are tied for the fewest penalties drawn in that time period, while the Ducks’ 88 infractions elicited (tied for 10th in the NHL) have at least given them chances.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 7 Feb. 2025
Commonly referred to as the CBA, the multi-hundred-page document is the bible that governs all aspects of the league, legislating major topics such as how the owners and players divide the league’s revenue, and continuing down to outlining punishment for minor infractions.
—Jordan Sargent, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2025
State police said the driver was found at fault for the crash and issued an infraction for failure to maintain the proper lane, no insurance and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infraction
Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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infraction
noun
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