Synonyms

infringe

American

[in-frinj] / ɪnˈfrɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

infringed, infringing

to commit a breach or infraction of; violate or transgress.

to infringe a copyright; to infringe a rule.

Synonyms:

break, disobey

verb (used without object)

infringed, infringing

to encroach or trespass (usually followed by on orupon ).

Don't infringe on his privacy.

Synonyms:

poach

infringe British

/ ɪnˈfrɪndʒ /

verb

(tr) to violate or break (a law, an agreement, etc)
(intr; foll by on or upon) to encroach or trespass

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See trespass.

Other Word Forms

infringement noun
infringer noun

Etymology

Origin of infringe

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin infringere “to break, weaken,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -fringere, combining form of frangere “to break”; akin to break

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Secure ballot envelope identifiers provide a reliable, auditable mechanism to enforce Federal law without unduly burdening or infringing on the rights of eligible voters,” the order reads.

From Los Angeles Times

The release comes 24 hours after Swift was sued by a writer, who says the singer infringed her trademark.

From BBC

Gran’s eyes are wide, her smile infringing on her ears.

From Literature

The day before it announced its deal with OpenAI, Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google accusing the tech giant of “infringing Disney’s copyrights on a massive scale.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Washington is also demanding that WTO rules do not infringe upon countries' national "security".

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023