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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Monster Energy acquired Bang in 2023 for $362 million in a deal that also resolved a lawsuit Monster had filed alleging false advertising and trademark infringement by its former rival. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Last year, a federal judge rebuffed OpenAI’s bid to dismiss core claims related to copyright infringement while narrowing the scope of the case. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 Some studios including Disney have sued AI companies over copyright infringement in cases that are ongoing. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 In failing to appreciate as much, the Court misconceives the plaintiff's injury, allowing the Executive’s likely infringement of the Legislature’s power of the purse and authority to regulate federal property in the District of Columbia to continue. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 31 Aug. 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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infringement
infringer
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Cite this Entry

“Infringement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infringement. Accessed 4 Sep. 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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