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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.
Synonyms
Examples of infraction in a Sentence
Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2024
He is scheduled back in court August 7 at 9 a.m., according to his lawyer, who said that with a license, his misdemeanor charge may be downgraded to a civil infraction.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024
Others described similar responses to minor infractions.
—Bilal Shbair, New York Times, 6 June 2024
Drivers with previous speeding infractions are subject to higher fines and longer suspensions.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for infraction 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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infraction
noun
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