violate

1 of 3

verb

vi·​o·​late ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt 

violated; violating

transitive verb

1

: break, disregard

violate the law

2

: to do harm to the person or especially the chastity of

specifically : rape sense 1

3

: to fail to show proper respect for : profane

violate a shrine

4

: interrupt, disturb

… violate the peace of a spring evening.

—Nancy Larter

violative

vī-ə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

violator

vī-ə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

violate

2 of 3

adjective

vi·​o·​late ˈvī-ə-lət 

archaic

: subjected to violation

violator

3 of 3

noun

vi·​o·​la·​tor ˈvīəˌlātə(r) 

-ātə-

plural -s

: one that commits a violation

Synonyms of violate

Verb

• break
• breach
• contravene
• offend
• transgress
• ignore
• disobey
• infringe (on or upon)

Examples of violate in a Sentence

Verb

He was arrested for violating his parole.

The company violated its customers' privacy.

She was attacked and violated by an unknown intruder.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Massie’s Hegseth resolution, among other allegations, lays out charges of violating Congress’ war powers and carrying out extrajudicial killings. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

In September, a drone that violated Lithuanian airspace was shot down over the nation’s territory for the first time, following similar incidents in Latvia and Estonia. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026

The government characterized Lemon as part of the demonstration, arguing his actions at a church crossed the line from a reporting to a protesting role, violating the First Amendment right to worship and freedom of religion. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026

The release of the footage comes after the Virginian-Pilot and the Daily Press filed a motion earlier this year for it to be unsealed, arguing that keeping it from the public violated the First Amendment. — Juan Benn Jr, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin violatus, past participle of violare, from viol- (as in violentus violent)

Noun

Middle English, ravisher, from Latin, violator, from violatus (past participle of violare to violate) + -or

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing violate

• break/violate the law

Kids Definition

violate

verb

vi·​o·​late

ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt

violated; violating

1

: to fail to keep or observe : break

violate the law

2

: to do harm or damage to

3

: to treat with great disrespect

violate a house of worship

4

: disturb sense 1a

don't violate their privacy

violator

-ˌlāt-ər

noun

Legal Definition

violate

transitive verb

vi·​o·​late ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt 

violated; violating

: to go against (as a prohibition or principle) : fail to observe or respect

violate a law

civil rights were violated

violate due process

violation

ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

violative

ˈvī-ə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

violator

ˈvī-ə-ˌlā-tər 

noun