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

His previous employer, global chip-making leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, says the executive violated noncompete and confidentiality agreements when he jumped ship.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"First you violate expectations by making something worse, then you compound the injury by revealing the violation was both expensive and avoidable," psychologist and neuroscientist Joel Pearson told the BBC, explaining the public outrage.

Read more on BBC

A federal judge last week ruled that the National Guard’s mobilization in Washington, D.C., which began in August, violated several laws.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Federal statutes govern how people can be appointed on a temporary basis, but Judge Currie found that Halligan's appointment had violated these laws.

Read more on BBC

It also accuses Ms Javadli of posting videos on social media in which "she insulted and slandered" her former husband as well as defaming the state and violating state laws.

Read more on BBC

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.