violate

1 of 2

verb

vi·​o·​late ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt 

violated; violating

transitive verb

1

: break, disregard

violate the law

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

4

: interrupt, disturb

… violate the peace of a spring evening.

—Nancy Larter

violative

vī-ə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

violator

vī-ə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

violate

2 of 2

adjective

vi·​o·​late ˈvī-ə-lət 

archaic

: subjected to violation

Synonyms of violate

Verb

• break
• breach
• contravene
• offend
• transgress
• ignore
• disobey
• infringe (on or upon)

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

Verb

Chappell, in her ruling, also pointed out that the plaintiffs had a likelihood of success in their claim that the facility’s policy of recording and monitoring legal phone calls violated the detainees’ First Amendment rights. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

Earlier this week, a coalition of at least 18 parents filed a legal complaint against the district alleging that the district’s plan to close schools violates state and federal anti-discrimination protections. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026

Another jury in New Mexico said Tuesday that Meta violates state laws and harms children's safety and mental health with its platforms including Facebook and Instagram. —Carmel Wroth, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026

Humanitarian law Human rights experts have warned that Israel could be violating international law with its offensive in southern Lebanon. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin violatus, past participle of violare, from viol- (as in violentus violent)

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing violate

• break/violate the law

Kids Definition

violate

verb

vi·​o·​late

ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt

violated; violating

1

: to fail to keep or observe : break

violate the law

2

: to do harm or damage to

3

: to treat with great disrespect

violate a house of worship

4

: disturb sense 1a

don't violate their privacy

violator

-ˌlāt-ər

noun

Legal 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

violation

ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

violative

ˈvī-ə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

violator

ˈvī-ə-ˌlā-tər 

noun