as in violation
a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation
a clandestine weapons program that was a contravention of the international arms agreement
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Recent Examples of contravention
But they can’t be imposed capriciously, in fits of pique or in direct contravention of our laws.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
As has become familiar in the U.K. in recent years, this latest change to the immigration system to prevent further arrivals is quite likely in direct contravention of the U.K.’s international refugee and human rights obligations.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2025
This was in contravention to a U.S. government moratorium on such research at the time.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
During peace talks presided over by three U.S. administrations, Israelis and Palestinians argued about which of the settlements—all of which were built in contravention of international law—would stay and which would go.
—Omar M. Dajani, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contravention
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
As has become familiar in the U.K. in recent years, this latest change to the immigration system to prevent further arrivals is quite likely in direct contravention of the U.K.’s international refugee and human rights obligations.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2025
This was in contravention to a U.S. government moratorium on such research at the time.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
During peace talks presided over by three U.S. administrations, Israelis and Palestinians argued about which of the settlements—all of which were built in contravention of international law—would stay and which would go.
—Omar M. Dajani, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contravention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contravention
Noun
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The bills, named for the global pop star — and the frantic rush to get tickets for her shows around the country — strengthen penalties for using bots to buy tickets in bulk and give the state attorney general the ability to investigate potential violations of the law.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Expending taxpayer funds on a capital project without secured or approved funding is both fiscally irresponsible and a violation of sound budgeting practices.—
Penny Weaver,
Arkansas Online,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The names are so similar, however, that the chain sued some of the local restaurants for trademark infringement last year, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
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There have been a slew of literary AI copyright infringement lawsuits launched by prominent authors, including Ta-Nehisi Coates and the comedian Sarah Silverman in recent years.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contravention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contravention. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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