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

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

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

Its mandated climate disclosures violate the First Amendment.

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Then, as always, the performer violates that sympathy by taking Ron’s reactions a few steps beyond too far.

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Last month, Polish airspace was violated by some 20 Russian drones, equipped with additional fuel tanks to help them fly farther.

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Chamber of Commerce and other business groups argues that the mandated climate disclosures violate the First Amendment by compelling business to speak on an intensely controversial subject.

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Legal experts warn that using unobligated funds to pay troops could violate that law and potentially expose Defense Department officials to penalties.

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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.