TRESPASS Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'trespass' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trespass are encroach , infringe , and invade . While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion. // hunters trespassing on farmland

Q: When is it sensible to use 'encroach' instead of 'trespass'?

The words encroach and trespass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions. // the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples

Q: When can 'infringe' be used instead of 'trespass'?

In some situations, the words infringe and trespass are roughly equivalent. However, infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative. // infringing a copyright

Q: When is 'invade' a more appropriate choice than 'trespass'?

The meanings of invade and trespass largely overlap; however, invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another. // accused of invading their privacy

trespass 1 of 2

noun

ˈtre-spəs

Definition of trespass

as in violation

a breaking of a moral or legal code forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in infringement

a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation plagiarism is a serious trespass of academic integrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trespass

2 of 2

verb

ˈtre-ˌspas

as in to wander

to commit an offense I consider him to be trespassing against all of us when he trespasses against any one of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trespass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trespass are encroach, infringe, and invade. While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

When is it sensible to use encroach instead of trespass?

The words encroach and trespass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions.

the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples

When can infringe be used instead of trespass?

In some situations, the words infringe and trespass are roughly equivalent. However, infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

When is invade a more appropriate choice than trespass?

The meanings of invade and trespass largely overlap; however, invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of trespass

Noun

Most of the time, those kicked out receive a criminal trespass warning. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026 Both Craig and Baker-Coleman were charged with conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal trespass, sixth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

According to a message that school officials sent to parents, the juveniles may have been trespassing on the campus. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2026 There can also be other charges associated with crossing the border that aren't directly related to trespassing onto military land. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trespass

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trespass

Noun

And unlike state authorities who can be sued for civil rights violations in state courts, federal law enforcement authorities are generally shielded from such lawsuits based on legal precedents.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Chicago should provide workable loading zones, preserve first-offense warnings, and publicly report whether violations and crashes actually decline.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

That followed a patent infringement suit brought by the biotech company Halozyme Therapeutics over its own subcutaneous drug delivery platform.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Our maisons handle trademark infringement in many countries very regularly, including China.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of infringement

Verb

Crowley, once a logging camp, can’t be reached by road, but train passengers can wander among picnic tables, fire pits, cornhole games and a massive, gnarled old redwood known as the Wolf Tree.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Bucks will temporarily abandon much of their natural caution and wander around in unfamiliar territory searching for does.

— Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of wander

Noun

Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, previously noted his client had never been convicted of a crime.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of crime

Verb

But the opening period didn’t end without a scary moment, as Antetokounmpo fell hard on his back side after being fouled on a dunk attempt late in the first quarter.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Shares of Oracle fell about 9% amid a broader downturn for stocks of top AI stakeholders.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fall

Noun

Formerly, Christians were taught that greed--that is, the immoderate pursuit and love of money--was a sin.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Per the official logline, in the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Verb

Articles, images, stray clippings, as well as my own painting and drawing end up filling the pages, often conflicting and complementing each other.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Telhou uses primal shouts to keep the herd together, while Saâdia uses a slingshot contraption to skillfully throw stones at straying goats.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of stray

Noun

In 2020, the DOJ brought similar charges against another 19 individuals, none of which resulted in felony convictions or jail sentences, according to a Sacramento Bee analysis of the court cases.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
In January 2025, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch changed the department pursuit policy, barring cops from chasing after vehicles fleeing car stops unless a felony crime or a violent misdemeanor was committed.

— John Annese, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of felony

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trepidation

trespass

trespassed

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“Trespass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trespass. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of trespass

noun

verb

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Synonyms of trespass

noun

verb

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Is 'Positively' Positively Legal?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on trespass

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

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12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

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Games & Quizzes