infringe

verb

in·​fringe in-ˈfrinj 

infringed; infringing

transitive verb

1

: to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another

infringe a patent

2

obsolete : defeat, frustrate

intransitive verb

: encroach

—used with on or upon

infringe on our rights

infringer noun

Synonyms

• violate
• break

Choose the Right Synonym for infringe

trespass, encroach, infringe, invade mean to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another.

trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

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

infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

Examples of infringe in a Sentence

They claim that his use of the name infringes their copyright.

Her rights must not be infringed.

Recent Examples on the Web

The policy shift, according to the sources, followed concerns relayed by the Justice Department's solicitor general, John Sauer, that the district's restrictive firearm statutes infringe on the Second Amendment rights of residents as affirmed in several recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2025

Writing for a three-judge panel, Judge Morgen Christen said that DMCA subpoenas are not allowed when the internet provider merely acts as a conduit and does not host the infringing material. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025

In 2021, Masimo sued Apple, claiming the Apple Watch maker infringed on one of its patents for optical blood monitoring. —Adrienne So, Wired News, 14 Aug. 2025

The foreign ministry said Bangkok would lodge a complaint against Cambodia for violating a treaty, to which both are signatories, that bans the use of landmines and for infringing Thai sovereignty. —Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin infringere, from Latin, to break, crush, from in- + frangere to break — more at break

First Known Use

1513, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for infringe

• impinge
• syringe
• binge
• cringe
• fringe
• hinge
• singe
• tinge
• twinge

Kids Definition

infringe

verb

in·​fringe in-ˈfrinj 

infringed; infringing

1

: to fail to obey or act in agreement with : violate

infringe a treaty

2

: encroach sense 1

infringe on a person's rights

infringement

-mənt

noun

infringer noun

Legal Definition

infringe

verb

in·​fringe in-ˈfrinj 

infringed; infringing

transitive verb

: to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another

the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed

—U.S. Constitution amend. II

especially : to violate a holder's rights under (a copyright, patent, trademark, or trade name)

intransitive verb

: encroach

infringer noun

Etymology

Medieval Latin infringere, from Latin, to break, crush, from in- in + frangere to break