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
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Recent Examples of infringeOther speakers Monday said girls’ rights were being infringed by allowing trans athletes to participate in their sports.—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025 Still, some have argued that the new law could infringe on the First Amendment.—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2025 The letter expresses concern that the moratorium infringes on states’ sovereignty and would jeopardize public safety and California’s efforts to foster innovation while protecting consumers in the AI space.—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 24 May 2025 The complaint cites songs and music videos from Swift's albums Lover, Folklore, Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department as allegedly infringing works.—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for infringe
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ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
5 June 2025
The amendment was inspired by neighboring counties, including Sacramento and Placer, that already instituted hefty fines for violating fireworks ordinances.
The school counters that the government has no right to impinge on its academic freedom and independence, especially its emphasis on diversity and tolerance.
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Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
Memories, both fresh and long-held, impinge on the present of our main characters.
Some versions held for over 40 days before decomposition breached the barrier.
—
Peter Cummings,
Scientific American,
3 June 2025
Jonathan Nunez, 4th Ward, asked a similar question about gatherings at the May 20 Committee of the Whole meeting, and Walcott said a gathered group would have to be breaching the peace to be cited under the ordinance.
—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2025
Amid President Trump’s threats to start a global trade war, invade Greenland, seize control of the Panama Canal and annex Canada, this story has gone virtually unnoticed: Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in decades — maybe since the 1959 revolution.
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Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Longtime Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi forfeited his nation's budding nuclear program in exchange for better ties with the U.S. in 2003, the same year the U.S. invaded Iraq and toppled President Saddam Hussein over allegations of weapons of mass destruction.
The Kremlin deemed such a display unacceptable in wartime and began asserting its right to intrude into private life—something even the late Soviet Union, from the 1960s onward, generally avoided.
—
ANDREI YAKOVLEV,
Foreign Affairs,
16 May 2025
Have commercial concerns—commercial possibilities—started to intrude in your writing process?
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