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 infringeThough the agency is prohibited from censorship or infringing the First Amendment rights of media, broadcasters cannot intentionally distort the news.—Dawn Chmielewski, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025 In his underlying dismissal motion filed in January, Trump claimed the Hayes estate had failed to allege any infringing conduct that placed him directly on the hook.—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025 Beyond the trade secret misappropriation allegations, Flexport contends that all three defendants infringed its source code copyrights.—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Apr. 2025 House Republicans have argued those provisions would infringe on parental rights, and some lawmakers attended a protest against the bill outside the Capitol last week.—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infringe
Last week a federal appeals court upheld Sessions’ order to bring Ozturk back to New England for hearings to determine whether her constitutional rights, including free speech and due process, were violated, as her lawyers argue.
—
Rodrique Ngowi,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
That was when the makers, Epic Games, included a direct payment option into the app, which violated Apple’s rules.
Six of nine planetary boundaries — the limits deemed safe for humans to enjoy stable and prosperous lives on Earth — have been breached.
—
Nina Seega,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Liss contends Bergmann breached the contract in four ways, including excessive power washing, using muriatic acid without telling Liss of the risks, not using appropriate materials and methods for cleaning the terrace, and not properly training or supervising the employees.
This metabolically active fat accumulates around the waist, surrounding and invading the heart, liver, and pancreas.
—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Georgetown Law School Professor David Super also questioned the amount of deference that Haines gave the administration, including on the questions of whether Tren de Aragua is invading the U.S. and whether the Venezuelan government is responsible.
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