infringe

/ɪnˈfrɪndʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈfrɪndʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈfrinj/ (ame, mw)

infringe — verb

  • infringepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • infringeshe / she / it
  • infringedpast simple
  • infringing-ing form

1. to break or go against a law, rule, or official agreement that you are supposed

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to break or go against a law, rule, or official agreement that you are supposed to follow.

例句

The factory was fined for infringing environmental protection rules.

infringe + rule (noun collocation)

Using a copyrighted song in a commercial without permission infringes the law.

同義詞
  • violate

    stronger, more dramatic tone; often used for moral or human-rights violations ('violate the spirit of the law')

  • breach

    very formal; used almost exclusively in legal and contractual contexts ('breach of contract')

  • contravene

    extremely formal, rare in everyday English; found in legal documents and formal complaints

反義詞
  • comply with

    to obey a rule or follow an order ('The company complied with the new safety regulations.')

  • observe

    to respect and follow a law or custom ('Both sides agreed to observe the ceasefire.')

文法句型

infringe + noun phrase (law / rule / regulation / copyright / patent / agreement)

用法筆記

Commonly used in legal contexts about intellectual property (copyright, patent, trademark). The object is always a rule, law, or legally binding document — not a person.

常見錯誤

❌He infringed his promise to help us.
✅He broke his promise to help us.
💡'infringe' applies only to laws, rules, or formal agreements, not informal promises.
❌The child infringed the school rule by running in the hall.
✅The child broke the school rule by running in the hall.
💡'infringe' is too formal for minor school rules; use 'break' or 'violate'.

2. to limit or reduce someone's legal rights or personal freedom in a way that is u

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to limit or reduce someone's legal rights or personal freedom in a way that is unfair or unacceptable.

例句

The new surveillance law must not infringe on citizens' right to privacy.

infringe on + right to [something]

The landlord was sued for infringing the tenant's rights by entering the apartment without notice.

同義詞
  • encroach on/upon

    more gradual, step-by-step process of intruding; often used about land, territory, or abstract boundaries

  • trespass on/upon

    strongly physical sense of crossing a boundary; less common for abstract rights in modern English

  • impinge on/upon

    formal; suggests indirect or unintentional limitation ('The new law impinges on our daily lives.')

反義詞
  • respect

    to show careful consideration for someone's rights or feelings ('A good employer respects workers' privacy.')

  • uphold

    to maintain and defend rights or principles ('The court upheld the defendant's right to a fair trial.')

文法句型

infringe + noun phrase (rights / freedom / privacy / liberty)

infringe on/upon + noun phrase (rights / freedom / privacy / liberty)

用法筆記

The preposition 'on' is very common in this sense ('infringe on someone's rights') and is equally acceptable as the transitive form ('infringe someone's rights'). 'Upon' is more formal and less frequent. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 breaks an explicit written rule; sense 2 limits an abstract right or freedom.

常見錯誤

❌My loud music infringed on my neighbour.
✅My loud music infringed on my neighbour's right to quiet enjoyment.
💡the object must be a right or freedom, not a person.
❌The new rule infringes on students.
✅The new rule infringes on students' freedom to choose their own activities.
💡specify what right or freedom is being limited.