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

But the justices, both conservative and liberal, said the Colorado law appeared to violate the 1st Amendment.

From Los Angeles Times

It also said the interceptions violated international maritime and humanitarian law.

From BBC

Voting rights and Black majority districts: Does a state violate the Constitution if it redraws its congressional districts to create one with a Black majority?

From Los Angeles Times

Critics argue that the inclusion of a living political figure violates long-standing norms and likely federal statute.

From Salon

But in his majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts dismissed such concerns as “fear mongering on the basis of extreme hypotheticals about a future where the President ‘feels empowered to violate federal criminal law.’”

From Salon

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.