vi·o·late
ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt 
violated; violating
2
: to do harm to the person or especially the chastity of
specifically
: rape sense 1
3
: to fail to show proper respect for : profane
violate a shrine
Examples of violate in a Sentence
Verb
He was arrested for violating his parole.
The company violated its customers' privacy.
She was attacked and violated by an unknown intruder.
Recent Examples on the Web
Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The American Civil Liberties Union and federal public defenders said inmates’ rights had been violated and there were stabbings, suicides and even one homicide.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
An employee allegedly complained to management about Bartels' use of the word, and Bartels was fired two days later for violating the organization’s code of conduct by using unprofessional language.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Mar. 2026
Scadin also suggested making the penalty for violating the ordinance more severe and increasing enforcement of the policy.
—Naina Srivastava, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violate
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Verb
As part of the ruse to extract her from Venezuela, Machado wore a disguise to leave the country, violating Venezuela’s then-travel ban, according to the Associated Press.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The American Civil Liberties Union and federal public defenders said inmates’ rights had been violated and there were stabbings, suicides and even one homicide.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
An employee allegedly complained to management about Bartels' use of the word, and Bartels was fired two days later for violating the organization’s code of conduct by using unprofessional language.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Mar. 2026
Scadin also suggested making the penalty for violating the ordinance more severe and increasing enforcement of the policy.
—Naina Srivastava, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violate
Cite this Entry
“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violate. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
violate
transitive verb
vi·o·late
ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt
violated; violating
: to go against (as a prohibition or principle) : fail to observe or respect
violate a law
civil rights were violated
violate due process
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