infringe

[in-frinj]

verb (used with object)

infringed, infringing 

1. to commit a breach or infraction of; violate or transgress.

   to infringe a copyright; to infringe a rule.

   Synonyms: break, disobey

verb (used without object)

infringed, infringing 

1. to encroach or trespass (usually followed by on orupon ).

   Don't infringe on his privacy.

   Synonyms: poach

infringe

/ ɪnˈfrɪndʒ /

verb

1. (tr) to violate or break (a law, an agreement, etc)

2. (intr; foll by on or upon) to encroach or trespass

Other Word Forms

• infringement noun
• infringer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infringe¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin infringere “to break, weaken,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -fringere, combining form of frangere “to break”; akin to break

Word History and Origins

Origin of infringe¹

C16: from Latin infringere to break off, from frangere to break

Synonym Study

See trespass.

Example Sentences

"The economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement operations," the foreign ministry statement said.

From BBC

“Midjourney is blatantly and purposefully infringing copyrighted works, and we filed this suit to protect our content, our partners, and our investments.”

From Los Angeles Times

The number of works won’t be known until at least Sept. 1, the deadline Alsup has given the plaintiffs to submit a list of all the allegedly infringed works downloaded from the shadow libraries.

From Los Angeles Times

Drake told chancellors that rights to free speech and academic freedom must not “place community members in reasonable fear for their personal safety or infringe on their civil rights.”

From Los Angeles Times

“The government has a legitimate and significant interest in ensuring that immigration laws are enforced, and any limitation would severely infringe on the President’s Article II authority,” government lawyers wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach 
• contravene 
• disobey 
• encroach 
• impose 
• intrude 
• meddle 
• offend 
• trespass