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

Example 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Prompted by concerns from Trump and American voices, negotiators have added language to their draft explaining that the treaty would not impinge on a country's sovereignty or provide WHO any authority over domestic policies.
    Fatma Tanis, NPR, 17 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.
    Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Their return was pushed back by 48 hours after Israel accused Hamas of breaching the terms of the fragile ceasefire agreement.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Many of those convicted or awaiting trial for breaching the Capitol building on January 6th have been held there for the past several years.
    Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 25 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 buttresses the claim of how vital PVOD is, even if its often early streaming release (in this case after six weekends, later than usual for Universal) seems to intrude on theatrical play.
    Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Wind and sirens intrude, followed by helicopter blades.
    Brendan Fitzgerald, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In the black-and-white image taken during the 1966-1967 school year, Banderas, now 64, is one of the only students looking up at the camera, wearing what appears to be a smirk, as his classmates appear deeply entrenched in their schoolwork.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Disability advocates have been sounding the alarm for months as the word has once more became entrenched as a commonplace eptithet, despite their long and tireless campaign to protect the intellectually disabled from pejorative abuse.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near infringe

Cite this Entry

“Infringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infringe. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infringe

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