violates; violated; violating
1
a
: to do something that is not allowed by (a law, rule, etc.)
Students who violate [=break] the rules will be punished.
He was arrested for violating his parole.
b
: to take away, interfere with, or ignore (something, such as a person's rights or privacy) in an unfair or illegal way
He claims that his rights were violated. [=that he was treated unfairly]
The company violated its customers' privacy.
2
: to abuse or show disrespect for (something, such as a holy place) usually by damaging it
Vandals violated [=desecrated] the cemetery during the night.
3
formal
: rape entry 1
She was attacked and violated by an unknown intruder.
Cite this Entry
“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/violate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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