INFRINGE Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

infringe

verb

Definition of infringe

as in to violate

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in to impinge

Related Words

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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 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 infringe Masimo won the courtroom battle , as a federal jury in California ruled that Apple did infringe on Masimo's technology and awarded Masimo $634 million in damages. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026 The organization argued the law could infringe on the public’s First Amendment right to record law enforcement and invite constitutional challenges. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026 Asked for comment, an OpenAI spokesperson suggested that NYT’s sanctions motion was a late litigation effort to access more logs and infringe more users’ privacy. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026 Roberts wrote that limits on the president's ability to fire those who wield executive power on his behalf infringe on his constitutional authority. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for infringe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infringe

Verb

The government characterized Lemon as part of the demonstration, arguing his actions at a church crossed the line from a reporting to a protesting role, violating the First Amendment right to worship and freedom of religion.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
Advisors who do have a fiduciary duty and who violate that responsibility can be subject to fairly serious consequences, including regulatory penalties, civil liabilities and criminal charges.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of violate

Verb

The satirical remarks drew criticism after a man later breached security at the Washington Hilton event while armed with a shotgun, handgun and several knives.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
After rising into the 90s last week, Sacramento topped out with a blazing high of 99 degrees on Saturday, while other parts of the Central Valley breached 100 degrees (looking at you Redding).

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of breach

Verb

Russia invaded its neighbor more than 4½ years ago, and there are no concrete signs that a peace settlement might be possible.

— Susie Blann, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Russia invaded its neighbor more than 4 ½ years ago, and there are no concrete signs that a peace settlement might be possible.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of invade

Verb

OpenAI models broke out of testing environments, gained access to the open internet, and intruded into Hugging Face’s computer systems.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Antitrust laws granted the courts the ability to intrude on private contracts and dictate how people should run their businesses.

— Sen. Rand Paul OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of intrude

Verb

There is also evidence of second-round effects from energy costs, reinforcing the risk that inflation is becoming entrenched, BofA said.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Mars will be in Leo all month, and the tense standoff between Mars and Pluto will exacerbate an existing rivalry and entrench a growing conflict rather than de-escalate it.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of entrench

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infrequently

infringe

infringed

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“Infringe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infringe. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of infringe

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Synonyms of infringe

verb

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