infringe

[in-frinj]

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verb (used with object), in·fringed, in·fring·ing.

to commit a breach or infraction of; violate or transgress: to infringe a copyright; to infringe a rule.

verb (used without object), in·fringed, in·fring·ing.

to encroach or trespass (usually followed by on or upon): Don't infringe on his privacy.

Origin of infringe

1525–35; < Latin infringere to break, weaken, equivalent to in- in-² + -fringere, combining form of frangere to break

Related formsin·fring·er, nounun·in·fringed, adjective

Can be confusedinfringe impinge

Synonyms for infringe

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1. break, disobey. 2. poach. See trespass.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for infringing

contravene, intrude, disobey, impose, trespass, encroach, offend, breach, meddle, crash, borrow, pirate, break, lift, presume, obtrude, entrench, steal, invade, infract

Examples from the Web for infringing

Contemporary Examples of infringing

But as far as hacking goes, our government is doing it too—infringing on the rights of citizens.
Andrew Garfield on the Evils of Capitalism, the Hacking Scandal, and Criticism of ‘Spider-Man 2’
Marlow Stern
September 10, 2014
Adam Harvey likes his privacy—and drones are infringing on it.
Adam Harvey Launches Stealth Wear, an Anti-Drone Clothing Line
Claire Stern
March 5, 2013
The raging public debate and drumbeat from Republicans that Obama is infringing on religious liberty has been largely ignored.
Poll: Majority Don’t See Loss of Liberty in Obama Contraception Rules
Kirsten Powers
March 16, 2012

Historical Examples of infringing

He was now infringing upon the great principle of personal freedom.
The Story of the Outlaw
Emerson Hough
The penalty for infringing the following rules is instant "removal."
Frenzied Finance
Thomas W. Lawson
I am not aware of any law of the State of California that we are infringing.
Clarence
Bret Harte
For the penalty for infringing any rule in the whole list was death.
Following the Equator, Complete
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
He had no reasonable excuse for infringing the etiquette of the occasion.
The Secret of the Silver Car
Wyndham Martyn

British Dictionary definitions for infringing

infringe

verb

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

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

Derived Formsinfringement, nouninfringer, noun

Word Origin for infringe

C16: from Latin infringere to break off, from frangere to break

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

Word Origin and History for infringing

infringe

mid-15c., enfrangen, "to violate," from Latin infringere "to damage, break off, break, bruise," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + frangere "to break" (see fraction). Meaning of "encroach" first recorded c.1760. Related: Infringed; infringing.