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

Examples 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 Taylor emphasized that the case centers on a petition in support of the First and Second amendments, arguing that shutting down the giveaway would infringe on free speech. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024 The jury also determined that Masimo’s watches did not infringe Apple patents covering smartwatch inventions that the tech giant had accused Masimo of copying. Reuters, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024 The agreement stems from a trio of lawsuits initiated by top authors, including Sarah Silverman, Paul Tremblay and Ta-Nehisi Coates, accusing OpenAI of harvesting mass quantities of books across the web, which were then allegedly used to produce infringing answers by ChatGPT. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Sep. 2024 For example, the EU levels a maximum fine of 10% of annual turnover on companies infringing on certain regulations. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infringe 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infringe
Verb
  • James Nagle, a former Army contracting official and practicing attorney who specializes in the federal contracting process, went even further, saying that the White House Offer potentially violated existing law.
    Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
  • The lawsuit claims that Chipotle’s failure to disclose these issues and their financial implications misled shareholders, potentially violating securities laws.
    Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • But otherwise, no Apple CarPlay, no podcasts, and no driver aids impinged on my true blast from the past.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
  • Routine and cliché, frustration and anger, despair and fatigue weigh heavily on the dispossessed, and impinge on the relationship at the movie’s center.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • And once restaurants mark up the bottle to account for their costs and profits, the wine list prices can breach a psychological barrier.
    Peter Green, Quartz, 18 Nov. 2024
  • In 2021, a malicious actor breached T-Mobile’s lab environment by posing as a legitimate connection to an unidentified piece of equipment.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In 1982, Israel invaded with the goal of rooting out the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian armed factions, which had been firing rockets and launching military raids from south Lebanon into northern Israel.
    Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
  • The situation escalated in 1978 and 1982 when Israel invaded Lebanon to counter attacks from Palestinian armed groups, occupying parts of the country until 2000.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • But unexpected events – at home and across the world – often intrude on a president’s plans.
    Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 9 Nov. 2024
  • The prescriptive nature of its aims intrudes on its ability to fully immerse itself in its main character as he gets exposed to the ugliness and the generosity humanity is capable of.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Every day further entrenches AI as a tool of anti-women rhetoric.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Wonder has long been politically and socially animated, entrenching social messages in his music since the ’70s, helping spearhead the 1983 campaign to turn King’s birthday into a federal holiday, and prominently campaigning for President Barack Obama and others.
    Brian McCollum, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near infringe

Cite this Entry

“Infringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infringe. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on infringe

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