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

Examples 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 Certainly, the raid on Combs’ cell in October and the subsequent material that was accessed by investigators has given the Bad Boy Records founder a wedge to claim his rights to a fair trial and First Amendment protections were infringed upon. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024 After all, treating yourself shouldn’t infringe on the success of your long-term plans. Judy Lagrou, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 And when there are people who are trying to infringe upon that freedom, the wheels do not work as well in a democracy. Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Dec. 2024 Our involvement in the matter is to ensure our rights will not be infringed upon. Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infringe 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infringe
Verb
  • Faced with community complaints, Mayor Karen Bass retools her affordable housing strategy July 6, 2024 This summer, low-income housing advocates sued the city alleging that Feldstein Soto and Park, with the tacit support of Bass, violated fair housing laws by slow-walking the project.
    Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The lawsuit alleges the restaurant violated the Texas Dram Shop Act by failing to uphold its staff to safely sell alcoholic beverages.
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • On the other hand, that does impinge on sovereignty issues.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • But in the 1960s, doubt began to impinge on this theory, reports the New York Times’ Carl Zimmer.
    Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Offshore, gray whales breach in winter and blue whales glide through in summer, turning the sea into a stage for nature’s greatest performances.
    Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Prosecutors accused Greene of conspiring with the Oath Keepers in breaching the U.S. Capitol, a claim Greene denied during his trial.
    Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Israel evacuated northern communities to create a security buffer instead of invading Lebanon to directly counter Hezbollah’s missile attacks, effectively allowing Hezbollah to continue its strikes.
    Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The bone analysis also showed that almost all of the victims were local to the area, suggesting that the attackers invaded the community to carry out their brutal acts.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Lin said that Philippine vessels had intruded into the shoal's territorial waters, prompting lawful and professional measures from Chinese forces.
    Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
  • The legal idea is that, under the U.S. constitutional system, power is divided between the national government and states, and states can't intrude beyond their sphere.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • He's entrenched at this point, and the company is entrenched simply just based on how much money is invested in them.
    Lauren Goode, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024
  • According to Syrian state media SANA, government forces, supported by Russian airpower, have entrenched themselves around Hama, Syria's fourth-largest city, after insurgents retreated 12 miles from the area.
    Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near infringe

Cite this Entry

“Infringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infringe. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on infringe

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