Definitions
- Referring to a violation of a law, rule, or agreement. - Talking about a breach of someone's rights or property. - Describing an encroachment on someone's territory or space.
- Referring to a violation of a law, regulation, or principle. - Talking about a breach of an agreement or contract. - Describing an act that goes against established norms or standards.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to a violation or breach of something.
- 2Both words imply going against established rules or norms.
- 3Both words can be used in legal contexts.
- 4Both words suggest a negative or disapproved action.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Infringe is more commonly used in everyday language than contravene.
- 2Scope: Infringe can refer to a wider range of violations, including rights and property, while contravene is more specific to laws, regulations, and principles.
- 3Formality: Contravene is generally considered more formal than infringe.
- 4Connotation: Infringe can imply a physical or tangible violation, while contravene can imply a more abstract or conceptual violation.
Remember this!
While infringe and contravene are synonyms that both refer to a violation or breach of something, they differ in usage, scope, formality, origin, and connotation. Infringe is more commonly used and can refer to a wider range of violations, including rights and property, while contravene is more specific to laws, regulations, and principles and is considered more formal.