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 Trade unions criticized the bans, calling them violations of freedom of expression, which is protected by the constitution. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Trade unions have criticized the bans, calling them violations of freedom of expression, which is protected by the constitution. — Richard Engel, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026 Only three of those customers were found to be in violation again. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026 Politicians in every region are arguing that Israel is guilty of major human rights violations, with many claiming that the country has committed genocide. — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for violation

Noun

Both candidates believe violent crime should be the priority at the district attorney’s office.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
The state persistently ranks near the bottom nationally on poverty, crime and public education, and disenchanted voters are pleading for change.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Werksman Jackson Quinn and Mason LLP said campaign finance violations, voter and ballot fraud and civil rights infringement relating to elections can be prosecuted as federal crimes.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The smaller company won, with a jury determining willful infringement and a district court granting a permanent injunction preventing further sales.

— Coke Morgan Stewart, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of infringement

Noun

The twins also face two pending rape cases in Florida state court.

— Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rape

Noun

Confession is looked at as some kind of sin and it’s associated with shame.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026
Lamb, who was once floated for the service’s top job, treats his current position as a kind of penance for past sins, both for himself and for his underlings.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

Also, remember that smaller businesses may be slower to patch their systems in the event of an attack or data breach compared to large companies.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
The deal can't be canceled unless Microsoft has an uncured material breach or an undelivered tranche.

— Ashley Capoot,Jordan Novet,Annie Palmer,Lora Kolodny,Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of breach

Noun

Officers arrived to find a man with minor lacerations and detained Manfre on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, the knife.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Oren is charged with two rape cases, including one that stems from an alleged assault at Alon’s Miami Beach condo on New Year’s Eve in 2016.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

The police arrested Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, 38, on suspicion of driving under the influence, causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run, gross vehicular manslaughter and other crimes.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The 22 others were facing a combination of felony charges including lying on their naturalization application during interviews or on voter registration forms.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of felony

Noun

The suspect, 27-year-old Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano of Stafford, Virginia, has been charged with felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage, and felony injury to a monument, court records show.

— Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, was charged with felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

— Emma Bussey , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of trespass

Browse Nearby Words

violating

violation

violations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Violation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violation. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of violation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes