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An infraction is usually the breaking of a law, rule, or agreement. So a nation charged with an infraction of an international treaty will usually have to pay a penalty. In Federal law, an infraction is even smaller than a misdemeanor, and the only penalty is a fine. Most of us occasionally commit infractions of parking laws and get ticketed; speeding tickets are usually for infractions as well, though they go on a permanent record and can end up costing you money for years to come. The closely related word infringement generally refers to a violation of a right or privilege; use of another's writings without permission, for example, may be an infringement of the copyright.
Examples of infraction in a Sentence
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
These are the repercussions that conservatives have been experiencing for years for infractions not nearly as egregious.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
However, many Americans have been critical of his immigration policy, as individuals with misdemeanors, decades-old infractions, or, in some cases, no criminal records at all have been swept up in the heightened enforcement.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Shrader missed badly from 60 yards but Tillman’s infraction gave the Colts another untimed down and Shrader nailed the do-over to give Indy its first 2-0 start since 2009 and send the Broncos home with big regrets over their blunder.
—Arnie Stapleton, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infraction
Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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infraction
noun
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