Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):
   • To break or fail to comply with (a rule, law, agreement, or principle): To act in a way that disobeys or disregards an established regulation, promise, or standard.
   • To treat (something sacred or highly respected) with irreverence or disrespect; to desecrate or profane: To show a lack of respect for something considered holy, inviolable, or private.
   • To disturb or interrupt (peace, privacy, or tranquility): To intrude upon or disrupt a state of quiet, seclusion, or calm.
   • To rape or sexually assault: To force someone to engage in sexual activity against their will.

Usage and Examples

• Breaking a rule or law:
  • The company was fined for violating environmental regulations.
  • If you violate the terms of the contract, you may face legal action.
• Disrespecting something sacred or private:
  • The vandals violated the ancient temple by spray-painting its walls.
  • Reading her diary would be a gross violation of her privacy.
• Disturbing peace or tranquility:
  • The loud construction noise violated the quiet of the Sunday morning.
• Committing sexual assault:
  • The law exists to protect individuals from being violated.

Advanced Usage

• "To violate a boundary": To cross a physical, emotional, or ethical limit that should be respected.
  • His intrusive questions violated professional boundaries.
• "To violate an oath": To break a solemn promise or vow.
  • The witness was accused of violating his oath to tell the truth.

Variants and Related Words

• Violation (n): The act or instance of violating.
  • Speeding is a traffic violation.
  • This is a clear violation of international law.
• Violator (n): A person or entity that violates something.
  • Persistent violators of the parking rules will be towed.

Synonyms

• Infringe: To actively break the terms of a law or agreement.
• Breach: To make a gap in or break through something, often a law, contract, or trust.
• Transgress: To go beyond the limits set by a law, command, or moral principle.
• Desecrate: To treat a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect.

Antonyms

• Observe: To comply with or adhere to a rule, law, or custom.
• Respect: To have due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others; to avoid harming or interfering with.
• Uphold: To maintain or support a law, principle, or tradition.
• Honor: To fulfill an obligation or keep an agreement.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "In violation of": Not in compliance with; breaking a rule.
  • The building was constructed in violation of the city's zoning laws.
• "To violate someone's trust": To betray someone's confidence or faith in you.
  • By sharing the secret, he violated her trust completely.

Verb

1. destroy and strip of its possession
   • The soldiers raped the beautiful country
2. force (someone) to have sex against their will
   • The woman was raped on her way home at night
3. violate the sacred character of a place or language
   • desecrate a cemetery
   • violate the sanctity of the church
   • profane the name of God
4. destroy
   • Don't violate my garden
   • violate my privacy
5. act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
   • offend all laws of humanity
   • violate the basic laws or human civilization
   • break a law
   • break a promise
6. fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns
   • This sentence violates the rules of syntax