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
• intrench
• 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

But the tech remains controversial, perhaps complicating the grieving process while threatening to infringe upon the privacy of the deceased, whose data could still be vulnerable to manipulation or identity theft. —ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025

Meanwhile, Musk’s X in April filed a separate suit against Minnesota over a similar measure, contending that the law infringes on constitutional rights and violates federal and state free speech protections. —Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

The next idea, being that the plaintiff should be allowed to voluntarily dismiss the infringing cause of action after the special motion was filed, was similarly rejected. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025

The plan isn’t to infringe on the audience who bought tickets a long time ago, insists Clooney. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 6 June 2025