violate

[ vahy-uh-leyt ]

/ ˈvaɪ əˌleɪt /

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See synonyms for: violate / violated / violating / violator on Thesaurus.com

Definition of violate

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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Origin of violate

1400–50; late Middle English <Latin violātus, past participle of violāre to treat with violence, violate, apparently derivative of violentusviolent (taking viol- as base); see -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM violate

vi·o·la·tor, vi·o·lat·er, nounpre·vi·o·late, verb (used with object), pre·vi·o·lat·ed, pre·vi·o·lat·ing.qua·si-vi·o·lat·ed, adjectivere·vi·o·late, verb (used with object), re·vi·o·lat·ed, re·vi·o·lat·ing.

un·vi·o·lat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use violate in a sentence

She has been recognized as damaged, adult in a way none of her classmates are, worthy of treatment that seems to violate the boundaries of normal student-teacher relationships.
The mind-boggling end of Susan Choi’s Trust Exercise, explained|Constance Grady|November 20, 2020|Vox
We hold that the challenged ordinances violate the First Amendment because they are content-based regulations of speech that cannot survive strict scrutiny.
Court strikes down bans on conversion therapy as violations of free speech|Chris Johnson|November 20, 2020|Washington Blade
Those who violate the curfew, including their parents or guardians, could face a $1,000 fine or a misdemeanor, officials said, noting that it is parents’ responsibility to ensure their children do not violate the curfew.
National Harbor curfew issued for minors as D.C. region sets coronavirus record for 17th day|Rachel Chason, Dana Hedgpeth, Fenit Nirappil|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The law would allow students who are subjected to seclusion or restraint in a way that violates the law to file a civil lawsuit against the school or program.
National Ban on School Use of Seclusion and Restraint of Students Introduced in Congress|by Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica and Jennifer Smith Richards, Chicago Tribune|November 19, 2020|ProPublica

In addition to flagging election misinformation, Facebook said it removed 265,000 posts on Instagram and Facebook for violating its policy against voter suppression.
Facebook reveals that massive amounts of misinformation flooded its service during the election|Danielle Abril|November 19, 2020|Fortune
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 violate

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 of violate

violable, adjectiveviolability or violableness, nounviolably, adverbviolation, noun

violative, adjectiveviolator or violater, noun

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

violate

Definition of violate

Origin of violate

OTHER WORDS FROM violate

Words related to violate

How to use violate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for violate

Derived forms of violate

Word Origin for violate