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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.
Synonyms
Examples of infraction in a Sentence
Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
That minor infraction is part of a list of subway rules NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced last week police will more strictly enforce as part of a new focus on quality-of-life offenses.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
So far, police have avoided charges for beating demonstrators, while cultural figures and protesters face long prison sentences for minor infractions.
—Anthony Borden, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
Yes, but: Polis draws a line when enforcing civil infractions.
—John Frank, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for infraction 
Dictionary Entries Near infraction
Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.
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infraction
noun
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