violate

American  

[vahy-uh-leyt] / ˈvaɪ əˌleɪt /

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.

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violate British  

/ 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

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adjective

1. archaic violated or dishonoured

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of violate

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. )

Explanation

Violate is a verb that describes actions that show no respect for people, laws, property, and customs. Drivers violate the law when they fail to stop at red lights, and people violate your privacy when they eavesdrop on your personal conversations. Violate comes from the Latin word violatus which means "to break," as in a promise or oath. As members of our society, we make unspoken promises — to follow all laws, to help people if we can, or at the very least, not hurt them. So when we violate — laws, property, people's abilities to live safe, peaceful lives — we break the promises that come with being lawful citizens.

Example Sentences

Rival U.S. firms are sharing information to detect so-called adversarial distillation attempts that violate their terms of service.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

The zoo's director said the court decision "shows that no one can violate animals' rights, no matter whether they are in an enclosure or in the wild".

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

“You’re asking us to violate confidentiality agreements,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

There may be more, as Bondi continues to violate the law by holding back some files.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

He did not want to cheat on Marcy and didn’t want to violate his marriage vows or wreck his family.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

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