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

The attacks came after the United States launched strikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that American officials described as a ceasefire violation. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Currently nearing picture lock, the feature is set and shot in Liverpool and sees McQueen play Chloe, a once promising young actress whose reality unravels within a vicious circle of addiction, violation and violence. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 July 2026

Uthmeier issued an investigative subpoena to MLB seeking uniform rules and enforcement history, arguing the league may selectively enforce rules against religious messages in possible violation of the Florida Civil Rights Act. — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

New York’s buildings department charged the building’s general contractor with more than $32,000 in fines, primarily for construction safety violations, since July 2025, according to The City Reporter. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026