definitions

violate

[ vahy-uh-leyt ]
/ ˈvaɪ əˌleɪt /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR violate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), vi·o·lat·ed, vi·o·lat·ing.

to break, infringe, or transgress (a law, rule, agreement, promise, instructions, etc.).
to break in upon or disturb rudely; interfere thoughtlessly with: to violate his privacy.
to break through or pass by force or without right: to violate a frontier.
to treat irreverently or disrespectfully; desecrate; profane: violate a human right.
to molest sexually, especially to rape.

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RELATED WORDS

contravene, defy, infringe, offend, oppose, disregard, breach, disrupt, disobey, abuse, invade, withstand, err, profane, meddle, resist, trespass, contaminate, encroach, outrage

Nearby words

viola d'amore, viola da braccio, viola da gamba, violable, violaceous, violate, violation, violative, violence, violent, violent storm

Origin of violate

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin violātus, past participle of violāre to treat with violence, violate, apparently derivative of violentus violent (taking viol- as base); see -ate1
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for violated

  • At the west end of this bridge is the famous “Stone of the Violated Treaty,” mounted on a properly inscribed pedestal.

    In Unfamiliar England|Thomas Dowler Murphy

  • Violated Nature rebels, and avenges herself for all infractions of law.

    Style in Singing|W. E. Haslam

British Dictionary definitions for violated

violate

/ (ˈvaɪəˌleɪt) /

verb (tr)

to break, disregard, or infringe (a law, agreement, etc)
to rape or otherwise sexually assault
to disturb rudely or improperly; break in upon
to treat irreverently or disrespectfully; outragehe violated a sanctuary
obsolete to mistreat physically

adjective

archaic violated or dishonoured
Derived Forms

Word Origin for violate

C15: from Latin violāre to do violence to, from vīs strength
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for violated

violate

v.

early 15c., "to break" (an oath, etc.), from Latin violatus (see violation). Sense of "ravish" is first recorded mid-15c. Related: Violated; violating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper