VIOLATION Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

violation

noun

ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən

Definition of violation

as in crime

a breaking of a moral or legal code in colonial times blasphemy was considered a serious civil violation that merited harsh punishment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in infringement

a failure to uphold the requirements of law, duty, or obligation a military action that must be regarded as a violation of the treaty

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rape

the act of forcing a person to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse war crimes include the violation of civilians

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of violation In addition, stay-away orders may be issue for severe or repeated violations. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 In November 2025, regulators issued violations to contractors there for using equipment during a pipeline pressure test that is prohibited within 1,000 feet of a school, of which there are three in the immediate vicinity. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 The commission is investigating Castro, who owns a permit-expediting business, over potential violations of state ethics laws. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Offseason knee surgery and a 30-day sentence in Texas for a probation violation shaped Rice’s path to the opener; he was transported from jail to a nearby hospital for treatment before being released in mid-June. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for violation

Noun

At that point, Jesse had been dead for a decade, and Frank had been tried for crimes three times—in Missouri, then Alabama, and back to Missouri again.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Police said the vandalism was classified as a property crime rather than a hate offense, and the teen was released to his parents.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

The ruling came as part of a widening patent infringement dispute with Halozyme Therapeutics over the best-selling cancer treatment.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026
The defendants — Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Publishing and Kobalt Music Publishing America — were notified in writing of the infringement in August, the lawsuit says.

— Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of infringement

Noun

Petter, now 32, is among those sharing their own experiences online in response to the recent rape allegations that have emerged at a Cornell University fraternity house.

— Windsor Johnston, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
In 1995, the rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US servicemen unleashed outrage and mass protests in Okinawa.

— Junko Ogura, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of rape

Noun

Now Trump’s folks are rounding up and deporting people who were jailed in their home country for the sin of defending democracy.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
De Biase explained how a snake is associated with Eve and the story of sin in the Bible — but the shoe reframes the connotation of the snake.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

The public health agency also said no biological safety breaches or laboratory accidents occurred at the facility.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
According to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, 88% of breaches at small and midsize businesses involved ransomware, with a median ransom payment of $115,000.

— Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of breach

Noun

The University of Arizona has suspended activities at its fraternities following persistent reports of misconduct, including assault, hazing and drug and alcohol-related behavior, a university official said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Fleming was received from Los Angeles County in 2019 to serve a 42-year sentence for second-degree robbery and assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

— Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

Phillips was questioned and has since been charged with felony destruction of a body/concealment of a death, and felony altering/destroying criminal evidence, the sheriff’s office said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Canton had a felony warrant for his arrest, and was not allowed to possess a firearm, according to court documents.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of felony

Browse Nearby Words

violating

violation

violations

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Style

“Violation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of violation

noun

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