Synonyms of infringe

infringe

verb

1

as in to violate

Related Words

• violate
• breach
• trespass
• offend
• transgress
• err
• wander
• fall
• sin
• stray
• break
• lapse
• backslide
• mess up

Dissimilar Words

• justify
• forgive
• pardon
• regret
• repent
• rue

2

as in to impinge

Related Words

• impinge
• invade
• intrude
• entrench
• sneak
• encroach
• snake
• overstep
• overrun
• overshoot
• overreach
• worm
• creep
• inch
• overpass

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of infringe

The rest-stop company has filed more than a dozen trademark lawsuits, including four this year alone, arguing that other business logos – many of them on smaller regional shops and featuring alligators, bears, and moose – infringe on its branding. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026

Masimo won the courtroom battle , as a federal jury in California ruled that Apple did infringe on Masimo's technology and awarded Masimo $634 million in damages. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026

The organization argued the law could infringe on the public’s First Amendment right to record law enforcement and invite constitutional challenges. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

Asked for comment, an OpenAI spokesperson suggested that NYT’s sanctions motion was a late litigation effort to access more logs and infringe more users’ privacy. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026