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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
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
One study posited that many information sources likely contain evidence of legal infractions.
—Eric Sydell, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Such reviews ordinarily occur once instances of a potential infraction come to light, Pentagon officials have said.
—Doina Chiacu, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
The total of 77 penalties for a loss of 703 yards marked the fourth consecutive year the program reached at least 70 infractions and 700 penalty yards.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 3 Dec. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near infraction
Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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infraction
noun
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