infringement

noun

in·​fringe·​ment in-ˈfrinj-mənt How to pronounce infringement (audio)
Synonyms of infringement
1
: the act of infringing : violation
2
: an encroachment or trespass on a right or privilege

Synonyms of infringement

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Examples of infringement in a Sentence

any government action limiting freedom of speech is an infringement of the U.S. Constitution
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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.
Ethan then sued Denims for copyright infringement, which was ironic, as Ethan’s reaction videos set much of the precedent for what constitutes fair use on commentary YouTube. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026 The right to demonstrate is protected by the French Constitution, and bans on demonstrations planned for Thursday in Paris, Lyon, Lille and Grenoble were seen by some as an infringement on French people's right to protest. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 Joseph Strange, a former studio engineer for Eminem, pleads guilty to a charge of criminal copyright infringement. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Joseph Strange, 48, of Holly, Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan to criminal infringement of a copyright. — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infringement

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infringement was in 1628

Rhymes for infringement

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Browse Nearby Words

infringe
infringement
infringer
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Cite this Entry

“Infringement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infringement. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

infringement

noun
in·​fringe·​ment
: the act or an instance of infringing
especially : the unauthorized use of copyrighted or patented material or of a trademark, trade name, or trade dress see also equivalent, fair use

Note: Infringement of a trademark, trade name, or trade dress involves use of one by the infringer that is the same as that of the owner or so similar that it is likely to deceive or to cause confusion or mistake on the part of the average purchaser. Infringement of a copyright involves the copying of a material and substantial portion of the protected work. If the alleged infringer denies copying, the copyright holder may be able to prove infringement with circumstantial evidence of the infringer's access to the protected work and of similarities between the two works.

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