VIOLATION Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

violation

noun

ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən

Definition of violation

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 violation Companies that violate the rules could face civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation and up to $50,000 for similar violations combined. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2026 The attorney general and other public prosecutors could bring lawsuits for alleged violations. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026 When he was caught using a cellphone, a violation of the project’s rules of historic authenticity, his name was marked on a blackboard for all to see. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 That followed the tumultuous tenure of Jim Harbaugh that included a 2023 national title as well as a spying scandal and NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations. — CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for violation

Noun

More than two dozen law enforcement officials, from crime analysts to chiefs of police, have been charged with violating their oaths of office and conducting unauthorized searches within the Flock Safety system in Georgia in the past few months.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
The allegations in the federal indictment mirror those brought by Minnesota officials, who have separately charged Castro with assault and false reporting of a crime related to the nonfatal shooting of Sosa-Celis.

— Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

López’s attorney sent Rivas and her group a cease-and-desist letter last month, citing trademark infringement and deceptive and unfair trade practices, the letter shows.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026
There is no definition in the laws of football of what constitutes persistent infringement.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of infringement

Noun

The brothers previously faced rape and human trafficking charges in Britain in connection to three alleged victims, CPS said.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
The additional charges filed against Andrew Tate last month include seven counts of rape, 15 counts of making/distributing indecent images of children and four counts of possession of extreme pornography.

— Juliette Arcodia, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of rape

Noun

Summaries of their sins and absurdities have now filled several books, but a sampler is instructive.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Moro scored for Argentina from a free kick after a five meter scrum after Australia had defended stoutly with 14 men, with Harry Potter in the sin bin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

There was an inadvertent breach of the league’s rules in their opening game against Hull City, when the team wore the badge on only one sleeve.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The scope was limited to roughly the week spanning the breach, and did not include a separate compromise of OpenAI’s own infrastructure that continued after the investigation window closed.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of breach

Noun

After a 2-year-old drowned in a backyard swimming pool in July 2025, Fatehi considered filing felony murder charges against his mother, who had passed out from drinking at the time of the accident.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Earlier this year, Johnson ordered Chicago police to collect evidence for possible felony charges against agents.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of felony

Noun

And that camera is not without a desire to wander, like onto a lone porcupine waddling in the street during a particularly invasive act of trespass.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
However, people can still face vandalism, tampering, trespass or theft allegations, the Santa Ana law firm said.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of trespass

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violating

violation

violations

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Style

“Violation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violation. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of violation

noun

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