Impinge vs. Infringe — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 25, 2024
Impinge often describes a physical or metaphorical impact, affecting something's condition or space, while infringe typically refers to violating rights, laws, or agreements.
Difference Between Impinge and Infringe
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Impinge involves making an impact or having an effect on something, often in a way that is perceived as negative or intrusive. Infringe, on the other hand, is primarily used to denote the violation of laws, rules, regulations, or rights.
The distinction also lies in their usage and connotations. "Impinge" can suggest a broader range of impacts or effects, not necessarily tied to legalities or formal agreements, whereas "infringe" specifically implies an overstepping of boundaries that are usually defined by law, policy, or explicit agreements.
While both terms deal with the concept of encroachment or unwelcome intrusion, "impinge" is more about the impact on conditions, situations, or spaces, and "infringe" is about the violation of rights, laws, or formally set boundaries.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To impact or affect something, often negatively.
To violate or encroach on rights, laws, or agreements.
Connotations
Broad impact, physical or abstract intrusion.
Legal violations, breach of formal boundaries.
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Common Contexts
Personal space, environmental impact, mental well-being.
Copyright laws, personal freedoms, legal rights.
Examples
Noise impinging on tranquility, invasive species on ecosystems.
Infringing on intellectual property, violating privacy rights.
Usage
General impact or encroachment.
Specific to legal and rights-based contexts.
Compare with Definitions
Impinge
Affecting time or activities.
Unexpected guests impinged on their private evening.
Infringe
Breaking formal agreements.
Sharing classified information infringes on confidentiality agreements.
Impinge
Intruding upon nature.
Pollution impinges on marine ecosystems, affecting wildlife.
Infringe
Violating copyrights.
Copying someone's work without permission infringes on copyright laws.
Impinge
Encroaching on physical space.
The new construction impinged on the old park's boundaries.
Infringe
Breaching privacy.
Unauthorized surveillance infringes on individuals' privacy rights.
Impinge
Impacting mental well-being.
Work stress can impinge on personal life and happiness.
Infringe
Encroaching on freedoms.
Restrictive laws may infringe on freedom of speech.
Impinge
Affecting someone’s comfort.
The loud music at night impinged on the neighbors' sleep.
Infringe
Overstepping legal boundaries.
Discriminatory policies infringe on equal rights protections.
Impinge
Have an effect, especially a negative one
Several factors impinge on market efficiency
Infringe
Actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.)
Making an unauthorized copy would infringe copyright
Impinge
To encroach on or limit something, such as a right
“powerful institutions of government that inhibited free enterprise and impinged on commercial—and by extension private—liberties” (Greg Critser).
Infringe
Act so as to limit or undermine (something); encroach on
I wouldn't infringe on his privacy
Such widespread surveillance could infringe personal liberties
Impinge
Usage Problem To have an effect or influence
“Any consequence of a change in alleles ... is fair game for natural selection, so long as it impinges on the survival of the responsible allele, relative to its rivals” (Richard Dawkins).
Infringe
To transgress or exceed the limits of; violate
Infringe a contract.
Infringe a patent.
Impinge
To collide or strike against something
Sound waves impinge on the eardrum.
Infringe
(Obsolete) To defeat; invalidate.
Impinge
To advance over or press upon something
Pain caused by a bone impinging upon a nerve.
Infringe
To encroach on someone or something; engage in trespassing
An increased workload that infringed on his personal life.
Impinge
To encroach upon; limit
“One of a democratic government's continuing challenges is finding a way to protect ... secrets without impinging the liberties that democracy exists to protect” (Christian Science Monitor).
Infringe
(transitive) Break or violate a treaty, a law, a right etc.
Impinge
To make a physical impact on.
Loud noise can impinge on the eardrum, causing temporary hearing damage.
Infringe
(intransitive) Break in or encroach on something.
Impinge
To interfere with.
Infringe
To break; to violate; to transgress; to neglect to fulfill or obey; as, to infringe a law, right, or contract.
If the first that did the edict infringe,Had answered for his deed.
The peace . . . was infringed by Appius Claudius.
Impinge
To have an effect upon, especially a negative one.
Infringe
To hinder; to destroy; as, to infringe efficacy; to infringe delight or power.
Impinge
To fall or dash against; to touch upon; to strike; to hit; to clash with; - with on or upon.
The cause of reflection is not the impinging of light on the solid or impervious parts of bodies.
But, in the present order of things, not to be employed without impinging on God's justice.
Infringe
To break, violate, or transgress some contract, rule, or law; to injure; to offend.
Impinge
Impinge or infringe upon;
This impinges on my rights as an individual
This matter entrenches on other domains
Infringe
To encroach; to trespass; - followed by on or upon; as, to infringe upon the rights of another.
Impinge
Advance beyond the usual limit
Infringe
Go against, as of rules and laws;
He ran afould of the law
This behavior conflicts with our rules
Infringe
Advance beyond the usual limit
Common Curiosities
What are the consequences of actions that impinge on an ecosystem?
Actions that impinge on an ecosystem can lead to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and imbalance in natural processes, affecting both wildlife and human communities.
Is infringing always illegal?
Infringing often involves illegal actions, especially in contexts like copyright law, but it can also refer to violations of non-legal agreements that might not be criminally prosecutable.
How can companies avoid infringing on copyrights?
Companies can avoid copyright infringement by obtaining necessary permissions, using content within fair use guidelines, or creating original content.
Can a physical object infringe on another’s space?
While "infringe" is typically used in the context of rights or laws, it can metaphorically be used to describe physical encroachments, though "impinge" is more appropriate for physical contexts.
How does impinging differ from interfering?
Impinging and interfering both involve unwanted intrusion, but impinging emphasizes the impact on something’s state or condition, while interfering focuses on the act of involvement or obstruction.
What legal defenses exist for accused infringers?
Accused infringers may argue lack of violation, fair use, permission or license, or challenge the validity of the infringed right, depending on the context and jurisdiction.
What does it mean to impinge on someone's rights?
To impinge on someone's rights means to negatively affect or encroach upon those rights, though the term is less commonly used in strictly legal contexts compared to "infringe."
What measures can individuals take to not impinge on others’ privacy?
Individuals can respect personal boundaries, seek consent for sharing information, and be mindful of others' comfort and rights to privacy.
Why is it important to understand the difference between impinge and infringe?
Understanding the difference helps in using the terms accurately, especially in legal, environmental, and personal contexts, ensuring clear communication of actions and their implications.
Can copyright infringement be unintentional?
Yes, copyright infringement can be unintentional, often resulting from a lack of awareness about copyright laws or misunderstanding of fair use provisions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
