Synonyms of violate

violate

verb

ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt 

1

as in to break

to fail to keep

you've violated the company's rule against smoking within 30 feet of the building

Synonyms & Similar Words

• break
• breach
• contravene
• offend
• transgress
• ignore
• disobey
• infringe (on or upon)
• fracture
• disregard
• traduce
• neglect
• flout
• resist
• rebel
• overlook
• pass over
• dismiss
• blow off
• defy
• slight
• tune out
• withstand
• brush (off)
• wink (at)
• shrug off
• scorn
• overpass
• pooh-pooh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follow
• obey
• observe
• conform (to)
• comply (with)
• serve
• submit (to)
• mind
• yield (to)
• hear
• listen (to)
• attend
• notice
• regard
• watch
• surrender (to)
• note
• defer (to)
• mark
• heed

2

as in to desecrate

to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect

the invaders violated the temple by using it to stable their horses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• desecrate
• destroy
• defile
• ruin
• ravage
• demolish
• profane
• raid
• insult
• rob
• contaminate
• pollute
• swear
• taint
• blaspheme
• offend
• affront
• soil
• sully
• devastate
• curse
• defame
• wreck
• desanctify
• deconsecrate
• despoil
• annihilate
• plunder
• decimate
• desacralize
• poison
• sack
• spoil
• outrage
• foul
• befoul
• raze
• strip
• desolate
• pillage
• waste
• loot
• ransack
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bless
• honor
• respect
• dedicate
• consecrate
• sanctify
• hallow
• purge
• purify
• cleanse

3

as in to rape

to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent

criminal statutes delineating acts that constitute violating another person

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rape
• assault
• force
• ravish

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of violate

Prosecutors said Lavie violated the conditions of her release by allegedly removing the electronic monitor she was ordered to wear. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

But progress stalled, with Israel saying everything hinged on Hamas disarming, and Hamas accusing Israel of violating the agreement by continuing to carry out regular strikes on Gaza. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

The landmark ruling held that China violated the Philippines’ rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

The filing also claims that Shirilla’s case was improperly transferred from juvenile court to adult court, alleging that the subsequent trial and conviction ultimately violated her constitutional rights. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026