INFRINGE Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

infringe

verb

Definition of infringe

as in to violate

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in to impinge

Related Words

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

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 Roberts wrote that limits on the president's ability to fire those who wield executive power on his behalf infringe on his constitutional authority. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Fleming said such projects infringe on private property rights and federal government subsidies for the technology are wasteful. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 Several community members have expressed concerns the plan would infringe on their autonomy as parents to oversee their children’s religious education. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 Entry must be the original work of the entrant, may not have been previously published, may not have won previous awards, and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for infringe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infringe

Verb

Critics say Mullin’s policy is aimed at intimidating voters, will upend longstanding American norms, and violate a law keeping armed forces out of polling places that dates back to the end of the Civil War.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit against Homeland Security claims federal officers exceeded the authority of their warrants and violated workers’ constitutional rights against unlawful search and seizure.

— Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of violate

Verb

The state of the economy is not yet impinging on Iran’s ability to wage war.

— Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
In Paris, people take trains, run into each other, walk along parks, ride buses, enter or leave buildings, sit in cafés, buy things, and lead thoroughly uneventful lives, but nothing external impinges on them.

— André Aciman, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of impinge

Verb

There is perhaps a subtle critique here, of the predatory instincts of the filmmaker towards their subject, of the desire to invade someone else’s life and shape their reality according to your own will.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
After Allied forces invaded Normandy, the cover of this magazine was mocked up in Bayeux-style stitching.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of invade

Verb

Other heavy-handed touches intrude on the film’s sophistication, such as the female protagonist of Jeremy’s novel being like a character trapped in her own existence, unsubtly indicating what Sofia is feeling.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Thinking another male had intruded on his territory, the bird quickly descended.

— Stephanie Szarmach, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of intrude

Verb

The groups also argue such a lack of transparency could entrench the most powerful labs and models with open-source companies in the dark, and that Congress should be looped in as well.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026
The sport’s most famous stadium nicknames have emerged from blowouts and marketing pitches, architectural quirks and television broadcasts, each following a different route from casual description to something entrenched in tradition.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of entrench

Browse Nearby Words

infrequently

infringe

infringed

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“Infringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infringe. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of infringe

verb

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Synonyms of infringe

verb

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On ‘Infringe,’ ‘Encroach,’ and...

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