ENGLISH
REFERENCE

infringement

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //ˌɪnˈfɹɪndʒmənt// UK //ɪnfɹˈɪndʒmənt// in·fringe·ment

n. an action that breaks a law, a rule, or someone's rights. You often hear this word when people talk about copying music or movies without permission.

n. the action of breaking the terms of a law, agreement, or established right. Frequently used in legal contexts regarding intellectual property or civil liberties.


SIMPLE

The company faced a lawsuit for copyright infringement.

CONTEXTUAL

The new security cameras were criticized by local residents as an infringement of their personal privacy.

COMPLEX

Legal scholars argue whether the proposed surveillance legislation constitutes a necessary security measure or an unjustifiable infringement upon the fundamental right to free assembly.

Synonyms
Origin

From infringe + -ment.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of' or 'upon'.

Pitfall

an infringement to my rightsan infringement of my rightsInfringement is typically followed by 'of' or 'upon', not 'to'.

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