infringe

American  

[in-frinj] / ɪnˈfrɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

infringed, infringing

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

   to infringe a copyright; to infringe a rule.

   Synonyms:

   break, disobey

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verb (used without object)

infringed, infringing

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

   Don't infringe on his privacy.

   Synonyms:

   poach

infringe British  

/ ɪnˈfrɪndʒ /

verb

1. (tr) to violate or break (a law, an agreement, etc)

2. (intr; foll by on or upon) to encroach or trespass

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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

The new agency "is intended to respond to an increasingly unstable international situation, but it must not be allowed to unjustly infringe upon citizens' rights", the Mainichi Shimbun said in an editorial Friday.

From Barron's

Last year, the celebrity video platform Cameo sued OpenAI, alleging that the San Francisco company infringed its trademark.

From Los Angeles Times

The Motion Picture Association, which represents major US studios like Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount and Netflix, has demanded that the tool "immediately cease its infringing activity".

From BBC

Many of the clips are based on real actors, TV shows and films, and major US studios have now demanded that it must "immediately cease" infringing copyright.

From BBC

In the majority’s view, the Maryland school board hasn’t infringed anyone’s rights by setting a rule for staff conduct.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• breach
• contravene
• disobey
• encroach
• impose
• intrude
• meddle
• offend
• trespass