1 trespass | Definition of trespass

trespass

verb
tres·​pass | \ ˈtre-ˌspas also -spəs How to pronounce trespass (audio) \
trespassed; trespassing; trespasses

Definition of trespass

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to commit a trespass especially : to enter unlawfully upon the land of another
2a : err, sin
b : to make an unwarranted or uninvited incursion

transitive verb

: violate trespass the bounds of good taste

trespass

noun
tres·​pass | \ ˈtre-spəs How to pronounce trespass (audio) , -ˌspas\

Definition of trespass (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an unlawful act committed on the person, property, or rights of another especially : a wrongful entry on real property
b : the legal action for injuries resulting from trespass
2a : a violation of moral or social ethics : transgression especially : sin
b : an unwarranted infringement

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Other Words from trespass

Verb

trespasser noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for trespass

Synonyms: Verb

err, fall, offend, sin, stray, transgress, wander

Synonyms: Noun

breach, crime, debt, error, lawbreaking, malefaction, misdeed, misdoing, offense (or offence), sin, transgression, violation, wrongdoing

Antonyms: Noun

noncrime

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Choose the Right Synonym for trespass

Verb

trespass, encroach, infringe, invade mean to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another. trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion. hunters trespassing on farmland 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 infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative. infringing a copyright invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another. accused of invading their privacy

Examples of trespass in a Sentence

Verb

He told me I was trespassing. The sign said “No Trespassing.”

Noun

He was arrested for trespass. forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Trespassing: Richmond Road At 7:45 p.m. Aug. 29, police arrested a Cleveland man, 63, for trespassing while the man was in the garage at LaPlace, 2101 Richmond Road. cleveland.com, "Woman arrested for Dillard’s theft, drug possession: Beachwood Police Blotter," 3 Sep. 2019 The families of two teenagers who were shot and killed after allegedly trespassing outside a home in Dayton, Ohio, are demanding accountability. CBS News, "Police trying to determine if Ohio homeowner was justified in killing two teens," 30 Aug. 2019 Keesee and Baylor trespassed onto a Kemper Road property on Aug. 20, according to court documents. Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Two men arrested after threatening to "shoot the place up" over a missing cell phone," 28 Aug. 2019 Our neighbor has trespassed continuously, has intruded with our renovation and has even sprayed pesticide on plants on our property. Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, "Ask Amy: Can I fix this before my son realizes what he missed out on?," 25 Aug. 2019 Our neighbor has trespassed continuously, has intruded with our renovation and has even sprayed pesticide on plants on our property. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Young mom wants to repair fractured family," 25 Aug. 2019 For example, Stoneman Douglas reported no trespassing in 2017-18, even though the brother of the killer was arrested for trespassing a few weeks after the shooting. Scott Travis, sun-sentinel.com, "South Florida school districts ‘most problematic’ in complying with safety laws," 25 July 2019 Sixteen protesters were arrested on trespassing charges at the State House Monday evening, police said. Alana Levene, BostonGlobe.com, "16 arrested at State House while advocating drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants," 22 May 2018 According to a statement released to the press, the two officers arrested Donald Neely for trespassing on Saturday afternoon at an address in downtown Galveston. Josiah Bates, Time, "Texas Police Department Under Fire After Viral Photo Shows Officers on Horseback Leading Handcuffed Man By Rope," 6 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The woman, who had been banned from all Walmart stores after an incident in 2015, was charged with theft and criminal trespass. cleveland.com, "Man finds Hitler at his front door: Mayfield Heights Police Blotter," 6 Sep. 2019 Walmart sued the union on grounds of trespass and public and private nuisance. Donna Engle, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Legal Matters: Is it legal to picket on a private street or a parking lot?," 6 Sep. 2019 Police reported that the man eventually left the building, and he would be issued a letter of no trespass. Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, "This was no knight in shining armor," 4 Sep. 2019 He was arrested in August 2001 in McLennan County in the Waco area on misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and evading arrest, according to state data. Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, "Texas Gunman: From Small-Time Troublemaker to Mass Killer," 2 Sep. 2019 Curtis Pardee, 63, of New Haven faces charges of third-degree criminal mischief and criminal trespass. Jesse Leavenworth, courant.com, "Man charged with destroying Door Tree says hatred for relative drove vandalism," 14 Aug. 2019 Mason-McCauley had previously been charged with burglary and criminal trespass after a series of incidents on June 20, court records show. oregonlive.com, "Salem homeowner assaulted with flashlight in Sunday-morning burglary," 11 Aug. 2019 Police charged her with petty theft, criminal trespass, driving under suspension and parking in a handicapped spot. Bruce Geiselman, cleveland.com, "Drunken driving crash suspect leaves bumper behind: North Olmsted Police Blotter," 21 July 2019 Harper has also been convicted of three misdemeanor charges, including theft in 2009 and criminal trespass in 2011 and in 2017, records show. Julian Gill, Houston Chronicle, "Prosecutor: Double amputee's shooting of father near Houston gym was random," 18 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trespass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of trespass

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

History and Etymology for trespass

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French trespasser to overtake, exceed, wrong, from tres to a high degree (from Latin trans beyond) + passer to pass — more at through, pass

Noun

Middle English trespas, from Anglo-French, passage, overstepping, misdeed, from trespasser

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