# infringe

/ˌɪnˈfɹɪndʒ/ (US) · /ɪnfɹˈɪndʒ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infringe
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to break a law or a rule. It can also mean to enter a private area without permission.

For teachers: to violate or transgress a law, right, or privilege; to enter a private property without permission. Transitive — requires a direct object.

## Examples

- The new law infringes on our right to privacy.
- The company was fined for infringing on a patent held by a smaller competitor.
- Legal scholars argue that the proposed surveillance measures infringe upon fundamental civil liberties, creating a climate of fear that stifles free expression.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.