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

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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

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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

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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 In addition, stay-away orders may be issue for severe or repeated violations. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 In November 2025, regulators issued violations to contractors there for using equipment during a pipeline pressure test that is prohibited within 1,000 feet of a school, of which there are three in the immediate vicinity. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 The commission is investigating Castro, who owns a permit-expediting business, over potential violations of state ethics laws. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Offseason knee surgery and a 30-day sentence in Texas for a probation violation shaped Rice’s path to the opener; he was transported from jail to a nearby hospital for treatment before being released in mid-June. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for violation

Noun

At that point, Jesse had been dead for a decade, and Frank had been tried for crimes three times—in Missouri, then Alabama, and back to Missouri again.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Police said the vandalism was classified as a property crime rather than a hate offense, and the teen was released to his parents.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

But that free-wheeling period of sampling came to an end as copyright infringement litigation against artist Biz Markie led to new rules around it, creating both a logistical and financial barrier to its use.

— Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
The measure allows local governments or the state to fine people $500 for their first violation of the ban, $1,000 for their second infringement and $2,000 for subsequent offenses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of infringement

Noun

While some newly prominent groups (such as those who later became known as Quakers) emphasized love, fellowship and justice, some members of other sects (like the Presbyterians) created new fears, new sins, new tests and new punishments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
While Ferns prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu was in the sin-bin for head contact that forced off Marlie Packer, England bulldozed New Zealand's seven-women scrum for Breach to score her 58th try.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

After a weekend of alarming headlines about AI mishaps, public sector breaches, and agents gaining unauthorized access to outside systems, tech and AI CEOs are descending on Washington yet again this week.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026
The Hugging Face incident was a high-profile breach that inflamed the safety concerns about AI, which were followed by similar actions involving OpenAI’s models including breaching an Australian health department website.

— Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of breach

Noun

Another suspect in the 2023 attacks, Italian anti-fascist activist Ilaria Salis, was jailed in Hungary for over a year following the assaults, resulting in a diplomatic dispute between Rome and Budapest over her treatment in detention.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Cotton also rejected an argument by Brown’s lawyers that jurors were biased because Brown’s felony conviction for his 2009 domestic violence assault on his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, was mentioned.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

Prosecutors said Washington had five previous felony convictions, including drug and weapons charges, and was not allowed to possess a gun.

— Darius Johnson, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
He was issued felony citations on suspicion of burglary, evading police, driving more than 100 mph, hit-and-run, obstruction and resisting, reckless driving and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of felony

Browse Nearby Words

violating

violation

violations

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“Violation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violation. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of violation

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