infringe

verb

in·​fringe in-ˈfrinj How to pronounce infringe (audio)
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
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
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.
After some settlement negotiations, nonprofit public interest law firm Institute for Justice and Richwine filed a lawsuit arguing the state was infringing on her constitutional rights. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025 But in his legal opinion, Harding said, the school board infringed on taxpayers’ due process rights by green-lighting the construction project without publishing notice in The Miami County Republic, the local paper of record. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025 Presidents don't make law, and Congress will make no law that infringes upon our rights in accordance with the First Amendment. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 The engineer, Mohammad Moniruzzaman, was convicted in Germany of infringing business secrets. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infringe

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of infringe was in 1513

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infringe. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

infringe

verb
in·​fringe in-ˈfrinj How to pronounce infringe (audio)
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 How to pronounce infringe (audio)
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 infringedU.S. Constitution amend. II
especially : to violate a holder's rights under (a copyright, patent, trademark, or trade name)
infringer noun
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on infringe

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