violate

verb

ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce violate (audio)
Definition of violatenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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 violate Her daughter Chelsea, 28, has been sober for a year and a half after she was sentenced to prison last year for violating the terms of her probation following a series of arrests. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 July 2026 Youth would be given warnings and opportunities to avoid violating the curfew before being prosecuted, Huneycutt said at the time. — Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026 Ever since the Grok scandal erupted, app stores have faced questions on whether xAI’s chatbot is violating app store policies against harmful content. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026 Questions arose about Harper potentially violating MLB rules. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for violate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violate
  1. break
  2. desecrate
  3. rape
  4. breach
  5. destroy
  6. assault
  7. contravene
  8. defile
Verb
  • England went ahead of Argentina in the 55th minute of their semifinal, but Messi found another gear and set up both late goals to break England’s hearts and keep Argentina’s run alive.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
  • Their starvation reached new heights, and the men ultimately broke their promise to Odysseus and killed one of Apollo’s cattle.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • His name no longer desecrates this sacred memorial, which belongs to the American people.
    — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 8 July 2026
  • One is about civic commonality, the other about authoritarian cynicism; one is about a city pulling together around a common pleasure, the other about desecrating the decorum of democracy.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Definition of desecrate
Verb
  • The sheriff said Lawhead was sentenced to spend 19 years in prison for brutally attacking a 71-year-old grandmother and raping her 11-year-old granddaughter in 1980 in Sacramento County.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • During those same four months, Sebold’s roommate was raped in their apartment.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 14 July 2026
Definition of rape
Verb
  • Even if a third party such as Oman collected the fees, tolls would likely still breach international maritime laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), allowing insurers to reject voyages or terminate cover.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The complaint, filed in March, alleged Sneaker City breached its lease for past rent and fee balance of $105,826 and present value of future rents of over $500,373, court documents show.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
Definition of breach
Verb
  • But there have been no exact numbers of how many missiles and drones Iran had when the war began or how many have since been used or destroyed.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Andrews was one of nearly 40 CATS bus drivers who were physically assaulted from 2023 through 2025.
    — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • In 2010, he was arrested for assaulting his spouse or partner and received a diversion program instead of going to prison.
    — Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of assault
Verb
  • The tickets, purchased by a staff member of the non-profit, had not yet been released, and the letter added that contravening FIFA’s trademark and policies may result in them not being released at all to the buyer.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • His edict contravenes the language of the Constitution, the high court’s own rulings, legislation passed by Congress, and the consistent practice of previous Presidents.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of contravene
Verb
  • The Tesla’s desecration follows a vandalism spree in Queens that saw religious centers, homes and vehicles defiled with swastikas and antisemitic slogans last month.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • This is a constitutional failure by Congress defiling the Constitution, enabled by a pliable federal judiciary bastardizing the Constitution, and the presidency ignoring the Constitution.
    — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 5 May 2026
Definition of defile

Browse Nearby Words

violable
violate
violated
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Cite this Entry

“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violate. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of violate for Spanish Speakers

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