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.
Doing so is copyright infringement, and photography companies could choose to pursue legal action, hitting parents with fines that could run into hundreds of pounds. — Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 8 Oct. 2026 The ruling came as part of a widening patent infringement dispute with Halozyme Therapeutics over the best-selling cancer treatment. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026 The defendants — Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Publishing and Kobalt Music Publishing America — were notified in writing of the infringement in August, the lawsuit says. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026 But that free-wheeling period of sampling came to an end as copyright infringement litigation against artist Biz Markie led to new rules around it, creating both a logistical and financial barrier to its use. — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 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

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infringement
infringer
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Cite this Entry

“Infringement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infringement. Accessed 14 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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