Synonyms

infraction

American

[in-frak-shuhn] / ɪnˈfræk ʃən /

noun

breach; violation; infringement.

an infraction of the rules.
Medicine/Medical. an incomplete fracture of a bone.

Related Words

See breach.

Other Word Forms

noninfraction noun

Etymology

Origin of infraction

First recorded in 1615–25, infraction is from the Latin word infrāctiōn- (stem of infrāctiō ). See infract, -ion

Explanation

When you break school rules about gum chewing, you commit an infraction. An infraction is a petty crime or a minor breaking of rules. When you think of the word infraction, think that your offence has just crossed the line into wrong. Something like a parking ticket is an infraction. When you commit an infraction, you're not knee deep in wrong, you've just dipped your toe into wrong to see what it feels like. A misdemeanor is a more serious crime such as theft, and murder is considered a felony, the most serious of crimes.

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Vocabulary lists containing infraction

The Giver

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Give Me a Break!: Fract and Frag

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Tangerine

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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.

When they were flagged for defensive pass interference against Oregon on Friday night, it marked only their third such infraction this season—in their 15th game.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

Facing fourth down and four, the Chargers were one more stop away from winning when a neutral-zone infraction on Odafe Oweh gave the Eagles a new set of downs.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

There was another Blanche infraction this week that is, in many ways, equally shocking, even if it’s not getting the kind of press traction that the Maxwell interview did.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2025

Giving the attacking team an almost guaranteed goal for something can be a really minor infraction by the defender is wildly disproportionate.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

You bet, but never to the point where I would hesitate to inform on them for the slightest infraction.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

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