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); see -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

Such changes would violate warranties and could wear down components and risk breakdowns as tractors and harvesters age, the company has said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Live Nation, which owns and operates hundreds of venues, countered that it did not violate U.S. antitrust laws, arguing that artists, sports teams and venues decide prices and ticketing practices.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

These scholars argue that states can authorize lawsuits against federal officials who violate constitutional rights.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

Depending on how that is interpreted and acted upon, however, could violate international agreements on space exploration.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

As his synagogue grew from 180 members to nearly 1,200 wine-seeking members in a year, Gardner exclaimed, “They kept calling for wine, wine, and more wine. I refused to violate the law to please them.”

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

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