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
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Recent Examples of infringeCity departments are instructed to pursue all available legal and legislative avenues to counter federal actions that may infringe on the rights of Chicago residents.—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 Secondly, obligations dictate that the state of Wyoming cannot impose restrictions or penalties in an arbitrary manner related to the use of the token that would infringe on any constitutional right.—Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 However, if items infringe or violate existing trademarks, both the platform and intellectual property owners can push to take down the products.—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025 Others contended that the measure would infringe on the rights of criminal defendants.—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infringe
That means public institutions that fire workers for comments in their personal capacity may be violating their constitutional rights, experts told IndyStar.
Blakeney, who left Universal last spring, specializes in equipping theme parks with all of the unsexy infrastructure required to function—toilets, cellphone towers—as well as ensuring that none of it impinges on the illusion.
—
Bianca Bosker,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Workers aren’t necessarily worried about AI impinging on their jobs – a large majority, 80%, view AI technologies, including gen AI, as more of an opportunity than a threat.
Kremlin propagandists have disparaged NATO members' reaction to Europe's condemnation of Moscow after Russian drones breached the territory of Poland.
—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
In early 2025, the stock fell nearly 57% from February to April in the wake of a short-seller report that alleged the company had exaggerated its e-commerce performance and breached service terms.
Israel’s military invaded Gaza after Hamas’s attacks in October 2023, and more than 60,000 people have died in the region, according to the local health ministry.
—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
The four-week run concludes the following Thursday, as the Steelers invade Paycor Stadium for a Week 7 AFC North showdown in Amazon’s primetime window.
And yet, this same reliance on sound that makes their communication so spectacular, leaves them especially vulnerable to anthropogenic noise intruding into their environment.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
Work wants to intrude on my window into the world.
Trump has indicated plans to appoint governors who favor aggressive rate cuts, a move that could offer short-term relief given softening labor data but risks entrenching higher inflation over time.
—
Bob Haber,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
The next election may well determine whether that trend is entrenched or reversed.
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