INFRINGE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does infringe mean? 

• INFRINGE (verb)
  The verb INFRINGE has 2 senses:

1. go against, as of rules and laws

2. advance beyond the usual limit

  Familiarity information: INFRINGE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INFRINGE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they infringe    ... he / she / it infringes   
Past simple: infringed   
Past participle: infringed   
-ing form: infringing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Go against, as of rules and laws

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

conflict; contravene; infringe; run afoul

Context example:

This behavior conflicts with our rules

Hypernyms (to "infringe" is one way to...):

breach; break; go against; infract; offend; transgress; violate (act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

infringement (a crime less serious than a felony)

infringement (an act that disregards an agreement or a right)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Advance beyond the usual limit

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

encroach; impinge; infringe

Hypernyms (to "infringe" is one way to...):

advance; go on; march on; move on; pass on; progress (move forward, also in the metaphorical sense)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

infringement (an act that disregards an agreement or a right)

 Context examples 

I am sorry this has happened, but I never allow my rules to be infringed, and I never break my word.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Freedom to roam and run and lie down at will, had been his heritage; and here it was being infringed upon.

(White Fang, by Jack London)