INFRINGE Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

infringe

verb

Definition of infringe next

as in to violate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to impinge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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Recent Examples of infringe In Free Speech Coalition et al. v. Paxton, opponents of the Texas law (represented by the ACLU), will urge the justices to overturn the mandate on grounds the law unconstitutionally infringes on free speech for adults. —

Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025 Meta, for example, prohibits users from sharing unoriginal or infringing content. —

Veronica Ramirez, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 The lawsuit asserts that any ban on mandatory meetings infringes the employers’ free-speech rights as enshrined in the 1st Amendment. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 The federal government is no stranger to lawsuits gumming up the works of Everglades restoration projects, but the latest suit has a novel approach: that a decade’s worth of construction on the edge of the glades will infringe on the religious freedom of local Buddhists. —

Lauren Costantino and, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for infringe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infringe

Verb

In one instance, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Department of Homeland Security's 2017 decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program violated that law, the Administrative Procedure Act.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
Prosecutors also point out that Darden violated several conditions of his bail following his conviction last October.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025