1
as in breaks
to fail to keep
you've violated the company's rule against smoking within 30 feet of the building
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroys
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect
the invaders violated the temple by using it to stable their horses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rapes
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent
criminal statutes delineating acts that constitute violating another person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of violates
The second problem with a moratorium on calling your opponents authoritarian is that Trump himself routinely violates it.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Critics and rights groups have said the DHS campaign violates due process and free speech.
—Reuters, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
The rights group warns that the move violates freedom of association and represents a direct assault on Tunisia’s democratic gains, vowing to challenge the decision in court.
—Ghaya Ben Mbarek, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The Senate parliamentarian advises the presiding officer on whether the provision violates the rule.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
The information is disseminated even if the allegations were proven false, which violates the officers’ constitutional rights, the lawsuit claims.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Opponents at home also say the change violates Japan’s pacifist constitution and will increase global tensions and threaten the safety of the Japanese people.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Marines said they were placed in an unnecessary position that violates their mandate to protect national security.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
Two federal lawsuits have been filed in Florida challenging the requirement, arguing that requiring documentary proof of citizenship and marking that status on identification violates constitutional protections under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
—Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Critics and rights groups have said the DHS campaign violates due process and free speech.
—Reuters, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
The rights group warns that the move violates freedom of association and represents a direct assault on Tunisia’s democratic gains, vowing to challenge the decision in court.
—Ghaya Ben Mbarek, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The Senate parliamentarian advises the presiding officer on whether the provision violates the rule.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
The information is disseminated even if the allegations were proven false, which violates the officers’ constitutional rights, the lawsuit claims.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Opponents at home also say the change violates Japan’s pacifist constitution and will increase global tensions and threaten the safety of the Japanese people.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Marines said they were placed in an unnecessary position that violates their mandate to protect national security.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
Two federal lawsuits have been filed in Florida challenging the requirement, arguing that requiring documentary proof of citizenship and marking that status on identification violates constitutional protections under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
—Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violates
Verb
-
The acetic acid in vinegar breaks the bond between the dye molecules and the fabric fibers.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
This guide breaks it down, from longtime institutions to the must-try dishes, along with the history that helps explain why Kansas City barbecue holds such a special place in American food culture.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Sprinkle dill over your food after cooking, as heat destroys its flavor.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Cody Rhodes destroys ‘outside forces’ in scathing promo Cody Rhodes’ promos in the midst of Pat McAfee’s insertion into his WrestleMania feud with Randy Orton blurred the line on what was real and what was kayfabe.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Through these photos, Dominique Pelicot is not ‘just’ casting an incestuous gaze on me, as was said during the investigation and the Mazan rapes trial.—
TIME,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
-
And when her brother-in-law, Stanley (Marlon Brando), rapes her, her descent into madness was made all the more vivid and believable by Leigh's precise depiction of vulnerability and instability.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His edict contravenes the language of the Constitution, the high court’s own rulings, legislation passed by Congress, and the consistent practice of previous Presidents.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Ukraine's skeleton racer and flag bearer Vladyslav Heraskevych was seen wearing his helmet honoring athletes from his country who were killed during the war with Russia in training this afternoon, despite the IOC saying earlier that the helmet contravenes the Olympic Charter guidelines.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing beats cuteness except watching violence be enacted upon the cuteness; like an aural Happy Tree Friends, Skulls tosses pom-poms of fuzz into the sky then desecrates them.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
17 Dec. 2025
-
In the world of Monster, a person who takes lives and desecrates corpses might someday be capable of redemption.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crew members can lead to penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the FAA.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
-
Any person who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crewmembers can face criminal charges and civil penalties costing up to $3,658 per violation, the statement read.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Very little offends me in a moral sense in the theater, but parts of this script came close.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Obviously the blandness of a tan wall offends them.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Moral and intellectual descent is inherent in a political project that sets out to undermine liberal democracy, reject the inclusive egalitarianism of modern America, find enemies to demonize, and heroize a leader who defiles common decency.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Violates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violates. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
