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to infract

to infract

9.9
To break a law, rule, contract, or promise
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈfrækt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : infringir
  • Don't infract the rules!

Examples

  • The student was warned not to infract the school's strict uniform policy again.

  • Repeatedly infracting the community guidelines could result in a ban from the forum.

  • Anyone who infracts the company's code of conduct may face disciplinary action.

  • She infracts the law every time.

  • If you infract the school's rules, you could face serious penalties.

  • The company was fined because they infracted environmental regulations.

  • He was warned that if he continued to infract the terms of the contract, legal action would be taken.

Synonyms

to violate
vsto infract
627 4.4

Break a law, rule, agreement, or promise

is the same meaning but uses different wording
to go against
vsto infract
206 3.3

To act against a rule, law, or popular opinion

usually means opposition or resistance rather than formal violation
to disobey
vsto infract
126 3.7

To refuse to follow rules or orders from someone in charge

applies when breaking rules generally, not only refusing authority's orders
to offend
vsto infract
65 4.6

Break a law, rule, contract or promise

is limited to breaking formal rules and promises rather than general standards
to breach
vsto infract
  • Formal
46 4.5

To break a rule, agreement, or promise

is the same meaning but uses different wording
to flout
vsto infract
12 7.9

To openly disobey a rule or law to show you do not respect it

may simply involve breaking without public contempt or visible defiance
to transgress
vsto infract
12 7.8

To do something that breaks a law, rule, or your idea of right and wrong

focuses on breaching formal obligations rather than moral excess
to contravene
vsto infract
  • Formal
2 8.2

To break a law, rule, or agreement

is a general term for breaking rules without emphasis on official opposition

Antonyms

332 3.8

Do what a rule or person asks

How Serious

to violate
627 4.4
to infringe
  • Formal
68 6.8
to breach
  • Formal
46 4.5
to infract
  • Archaic
9.9
to contravene
  • Formal
2 8.2
to flout
12 7.9

Surface Forms

infract infinitive
infracted past
infracted past participle
infracting present participle
infracts third person singular

Morphology

infract = in + fract

While formally analyzable as in- + fract, the element 'fract' is not a standalone English word and the verb is rare; learners cannot reliably infer 'violate/break' from the visible parts.

Etymology

Infract comes from the parts in- meaning 'into' and fract meaning 'break', the same root you see in fracture and fraction. So, to infract something is to 'break' a law, rule, or promise.