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 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
  • The lawsuit alleges the defendants’ service violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Lanham Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and constitutes wire fraud, access device fraud, common law trespass, and tortious interference.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2025
  • TikTok and content creators on the app argued the ban violates their First Amendment rights by cutting off all speech on the platform, while the federal government argued the ban is necessary for national security, given ByteDance’s Chinese ownership.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • And after Trump won this past November’s election, his lawyers argued that the case had to be scrapped to avoid impinging on his upcoming presidency and his transition to the Oval Office.
    Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
  • And after Trump won this past November's election, his lawyers argued that the case had to be scrapped to avoid impinging on his upcoming presidency and his transition to the Oval Office.
    MICHAEL R. SISAK, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Jones claims that Baldoni breached his contract and that Nathan and Abel conspired to attack her.
    Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Yet even among artists who have adequate estate planning with legal counsel, Schwartzman has noticed that the many other facets of estate stewardship are rarely breached during an artist’s lifetime.
    Maddie Klett, ARTnews.com, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. deployed an additional 20,000 troops to Eastern Europe to firm up NATO's eastern flank (there are now approximately 100,000 U.S. forces in Europe).
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The deal comes after a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hezbollah in November, weeks after Israel invaded southern Lebanon as part of an escalation of its conflict with Hezbollah.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This can take away from the enjoyment of the holiday season and intrude on an individual's well-being.
    Tor Constantino, MBA, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
  • This has led to escalating friction with many of China’s neighbors who believe that the country’s coast guard has intruded into their exclusive economic zones.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • David Ubben ranked the top 10 CFP games of all time, and Arizona State-Texas is already entrenched in the lore.
    Chris Branch, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • The prevailing focus on affordability and accessibility, while important, reflects a system entrenched in disease management.
    Trisha Swift, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near infringe

Cite this Entry

“Infringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infringe. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infringe

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