trespass 1 of 2

trespass

2 of 2

verb

as in to wander
to commit an offense I consider him to be trespassing against all of us when he trespasses against any one of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trespass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trespass are encroach, infringe, and invade. While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

When is it sensible to use encroach instead of trespass?

The words encroach and trespass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 infringe be used instead of trespass?

In some situations, the words infringe and trespass are roughly equivalent. However, infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

When is invade a more appropriate choice than trespass?

The meanings of invade and trespass largely overlap; however, invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trespass
Noun
As she had already been banned from all Walmarts in the U.S., she was also charged with trespass. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 Following further police investigation, Yingling said, Jonathan Savoy, 45, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged with computer trespass on Sunday. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
Last year, Wheeler served two days in Vernon County jail on six trespassing convictions from 2020, 2022 and 2023. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025 Reality check: Municipalities could still cite trespassing laws as the reason for removal, but IDHR and advocates say removal and fines just for being unhoused is a violation. Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trespass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trespass
Noun
  • In another camp are the New York Times and other newspapers, which have sued OpenAI as well as Microsoft, alleging the tech companies engaged in copyright infringement by using the publishers’ content to train their AI systems.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Specific changes have been made to the Bahrain International Circuit for this year’s grand prix to help spot potential track-limits infringements, with a blue line at several turns adding visual aid to judge such circumstances.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After a 3-month long girls trip along Florida’s Gulf Coast, a wayward pair of endangered North Atlantic right whales known as Curlew and Koala have finally wandered back to the Atlantic Ocean.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Alberta is skeptical… until Hetty points out how Pete has been wandering and dating up a storm, was secretly in the mafia and punched Thor in the face after the Viking slept with Carol.
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The post was an apparent violation of Major League Baseball’s social media policy, which prohibits the use of electronic devices during games.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Civil rights advocates and others have described Trump’s moves as alarming violations of civil rights, including the right to due process.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rising bond yields Yields on 10-year Treasury bonds typically fall – and their prices rise - as investors flee stocks for the safe haven of Treasuries during economic slowdowns.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Sales are falling partly due to rising competition from other automakers’ EV offerings, especially in China.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • To conceal his crimes, Hemphill, who is also a lawyer, threatened to have the women arrested or killed by falsely claiming to have vast resources and connections to police and organized crime, prosecutors said.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the 1960s, the Philadelphia police reported less crime on streets with window boxes.
    Sonja Dümpelmann, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Addressing the congregation that evening before offering Aaron some more personalized wisdom, Tim speaks about the necessity of accepting Jesus Christ into one’s life to counteract doubt and the temptation to sin.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024
  • Again and again, Stan’s Donald spends The Apprentice cataloging the ways in which he has been sinned against.
    Constance Grady, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Noun
  • The former student at the University of Washington was also charged with one felony count of burglary.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The victim had 10 arrests on his record, nine of them for felonies, including one involving a gun, police sources said.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The store feels like a perfect place to pop into every few weeks for items that stray from a typical grocery haul.
    Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The event has become less staid over the years but hasn’t strayed too far into rock and rap territory, leaving the more eclectic bookings for the folk side.
    Dan Reilly, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trespass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trespass. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on trespass

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