violate

[vahy-uh-leyt]

verb (used with object)

violated, violating 

1. to act against (a law, principle, promise, agreement, instruction, etc.); break, transgress, or fail to honor.

   He violated city bylaws by building without a permit.

   I’d stay longer, but I don’t want to violate my curfew.

2. to treat (something precious, sacred, beautiful, etc.) with disrespect or contempt; mar or desecrate.

   They feel compelled to speak out against governments that violate human rights.

3. to break through or into by force or without right, as a border, home, property, restricted space, etc..

   A hostile power has violated our airspace.

   They returned to find that their home had been violated.

4. to break in upon or disturb rudely; interfere thoughtlessly with.

   These surveillance cameras violate my privacy.

5. to molest sexually, especially to rape.

violate

/ ˈvaɪəˌleɪt /

verb

1. to break, disregard, or infringe (a law, agreement, etc)

2. to rape or otherwise sexually assault

3. to disturb rudely or improperly; break in upon

4. to treat irreverently or disrespectfully; outrage

   he violated a sanctuary

5. obsolete,  to mistreat physically

adjective

1. archaic,  violated or dishonoured

Other Word Forms

• violator noun
• violater noun
• previolate verb (used with object)
• reviolate verb (used with object)
• violative adjective
• violability noun
• violably adverb
• violable adjective
• violation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of violate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin violātus “treated with violence,” past participle of violāre “to treat with violence, violate,” apparently derivative of violentus violent ( def. ) (taking viol- as base); -ate ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of violate¹

C15: from Latin violāre to do violence to, from vīs strength

Example Sentences

The bill was later amended with a legal provision that would bar individuals or private parties from suing streaming services for violating the law.

Read more on BBC

They were all acquitted later that year in a case that established that topless bars like the Condor Club did not violate California’s obscenity laws.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Police accused O’Keefe of placing both his legs across an adjacent seat, violating the rail line’s rules.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“What they’re saying to the court is, ‘We need to be able to violate the law and shoot these people indiscriminately or else it’s gonna be a melee.’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Despite Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s insistence on holding the man, Valenzuela said the government failed to provide any proof that he had “violated any law or regulation” or show that he was a “flight risk.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach 
• contravene 
• defy 
• disobey 
• disregard 
• disrupt 
• infringe 
• offend 
• oppose 
• tamper with 

When To Use

What else does violate mean?

To violate is to breach some code of conduct, often in an egregious manner. It is often used to describe breaking the law or committing physical violence against another–especially rape and sexual assault. In Black slang, to violate someone is personally insulting or assaulting someone.