Synonyms of trespass

trespass 1 of 2

noun

ˈtre-spəs 

1

as in violation

a breaking of a moral or legal code

forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violation
• crime
• sin
• felony
• wrongdoing
• transgression
• breach
• debt
• error
• sinfulness
• misdeed
• offense
• lawbreaking
• misdemeanor
• infringement
• malefaction
• misdoing
• misconduct
• misfeasance
• hate crime
• abuse
• immorality
• criminality
• illegality
• corruption
• wickedness
• unlawfulness
• foible
• fault
• bias crime
• peccadillo
• iniquity
• vice
• licentiousness
• lawlessness
• break
• depravity
• debauchery
• iniquitousness
• fall
• downfall
• descent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocence
• blamelessness
• righteousness
• morality
• virtue
• noncrime
• impeccability
• guiltlessness
• goodness
• faultlessness
• virtuousness
• irreproachability

2

as in infringement

a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation

plagiarism is a serious trespass of academic integrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• infringement
• violation
• breach
• infraction
• transgression
• contravention
• misdemeanor
• offense
• sin
• misconduct
• disregard
• ignoring
• intrusion
• misfeasance
• encroachment
• invasion
• neglect
• forgetting
• wrong
• delinquency
• misprision
• nonobservance
• overlooking
• dereliction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• observance
• respecting
• noninfringement
• upholding

trespass

2 of 2

verb

ˈtre-ˌspas 

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

• wander
• fall
• sin
• stray
• offend
• transgress
• violate
• err
• breach
• infringe
• fall from grace
• break the law
• lapse
• break
• backslide
• mess up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• justify
• forgive
• pardon
• regret
• repent
• rue

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

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

Recent Examples of trespass

Noun

He was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle. —Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026

He was booked into the Merrimack County Jail and charged with two counts of simple assault and one count each of criminal trespass, criminal threatening and disorderly conduct. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026

Verb

The people who trespassed at the Capitol, and committed disorderly behavior, enabled the mob violence. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

There is no ‘press pass’ to trespass on church property or conspire to invade religious worship. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026