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
In a contravention of international law, Israel subjects Palestinians living under its rule in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to what is in effect martial law.
—Ilan Z. Baron, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 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
In a contravention of international law, Israel subjects Palestinians living under its rule in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to what is in effect martial law.
—Ilan Z. Baron, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contravention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contravention
Noun
-
Just a few days into Operation Midway Blitz, an ICE agent shot and killed Silverio Villegas González, a Mexican man with only traffic violations on his record.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
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The 2019 shelter violations were an isolated incident, Rae told The Charlotte Observer in an interview.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Bank of America upgraded the stock to neutral from underperform after Novo Nordisk dropped its patent infringement case against Hims, and the companies agreed that Hims would sell Novo’s Ozempic and Wegovy drugs on its platform.—
Scott Schnipper,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
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Novo, meanwhile, is dropping a patent infringement lawsuit against Hims.—
Mario Aguilar,
STAT,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contravention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contravention. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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