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

In addition, Wrigley View Rooftop argues the Cubs have violated the terms of a confidentiality order issued by Coleman, who set parameters for the two sides to discuss which materials ought to be designated as confidential and sealed. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026

The plaintiffs had argued those terms were vague, and that the council selectively used them to silence prominent critics, violating their First Amendment rights. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

York was suspended for six games and fined $500,000 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after being arrested in a prostitution sting in Ohio in August. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

However, Crawford never addressed why her tweet violated standards and seemed to hope people would accept that her mistake was simply posting the video rather than adding her own biased commentary. — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026