Synonyms of violation

violation

noun

ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

as in crime

a breaking of a moral or legal code

in colonial times blasphemy was considered a serious civil violation that merited harsh punishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crime
• sin
• felony
• breach
• trespass
• error
• wrongdoing
• transgression
• misdeed
• offense
• debt
• sinfulness
• lawbreaking
• misconduct
• infringement
• malefaction
• misdoing
• misdemeanor
• hate crime
• abuse
• misfeasance
• corruption
• fault
• bias crime
• illegality
• immorality
• foible
• unlawfulness
• criminality
• wickedness
• vice
• break
• iniquity
• licentiousness
• depravity
• debauchery
• peccadillo
• lawlessness
• iniquitousness
• downfall
• fall
• descent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocence
• blamelessness
• morality
• virtue
• impeccability
• noncrime
• righteousness
• goodness
• guiltlessness
• faultlessness
• irreproachability
• virtuousness

2

as in infringement

a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation

a military action that must be regarded as a violation of the treaty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• infringement
• breach
• infraction
• contravention
• trespass
• transgression
• offense
• misdemeanor
• misconduct
• sin
• disregard
• ignoring
• invasion
• intrusion
• forgetting
• neglect
• wrong
• misfeasance
• delinquency
• encroachment
• nonobservance
• misprision
• overlooking
• dereliction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• observance
• respecting
• noninfringement
• upholding

3

as in rape

the act of forcing a person to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse

war crimes include the violation of civilians

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rape
• assault
• sexual assault
• ravishment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of violation

His remaining on the air could be considered an in-kind contribution by the radio station to his campaign, a potential violation of state election law for a candidate who intends to participate in the state’s public financing program. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

During the investigation into Brown University, witness interviews and document reviews concluded that there was no Title VI violation, but some in DOJ leadership still sought a settlement violation. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

By my observation, few deliveristas comply, yet NYPD has issued only 38 violations to date this year. — Richard Robbins, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

Law enforcement is no longer required to give first-time offenders a warning and repeat violations can cost people $2,000 to $5,000 each. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026