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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
Reuters, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
Forgetting your child over a video game is not acceptable and her dismissal of the infraction is even more cause for concern.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025
The mother was charged with the following: Driving under the influence
Transporting a child while intoxicated
Resisting arrest
Two misdemeanor counts along with an infraction
Her bond was set at 10% of $2,500 and she is scheduled to appear back in court on Jan. 21.
—Wkrc Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 Jan. 2025
Both films are about the preposterous beauty standards foisted upon women in our modern culture, yet both films seem determined to make these same women suffer, while portraying men as mostly bumbling buffoons whose chief infractions are wandering eyes.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 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 2 Feb. 2025.
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infraction
noun
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