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An infraction is usually the breaking of a law, rule, or agreement. So a nation charged with an infraction of an international treaty will usually have to pay a penalty. In Federal law, an infraction is even smaller than a misdemeanor, and the only penalty is a fine. Most of us occasionally commit infractions of parking laws and get ticketed; speeding tickets are usually for infractions as well, though they go on a permanent record and can end up costing you money for years to come. The closely related word infringement generally refers to a violation of a right or privilege; use of another's writings without permission, for example, may be an infringement of the copyright.
Examples of infraction in a Sentence
Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
After play continued for a bit, Castellanos went to the monitor and awarded another penalty four minutes after the infraction.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 30 June 2025
The penalties are civil infractions that start at $200 and escalate for violators who refuse to comply after being warned.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Authorities also noted that Travis was involved in a car crash on May 27, to which he was handed down traffic infractions after a police investigation.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for infraction
Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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infraction
noun
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