Definition

1. Noun:
   • An act that breaks or fails to comply with a rule, formal agreement, or law: "Violation" refers to the action of breaking a law, rule, or promise.
   • The act of treating something sacred or respected with irreverence or disrespect: "Violation" can mean a disrespectful or abusive action towards something considered inviolable.
   • The crime of forcing someone to submit to sexual intercourse against their will; rape: In legal contexts, "violation" is a formal term for this serious crime.
   • An action that interrupts or disturbs something: It can refer to an intrusion or disturbance of peace, privacy, or property.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Driving over the speed limit is a traffic violation.
  • The soldiers were accused of human rights violations.
  • The company was fined for safety violations.
  • Building on the sacred land was a profound violation of their traditions.
  • He was charged with violation.

Advanced Usage

• "In violation of": This prepositional phrase is used to state that an action breaks a specific rule or law.
  • The factory was operating in violation of environmental regulations.
• "Flagrant violation": A conspicuously offensive or blatant breach.
  • The judge called it a flagrant violation of the court order.

Variants and Related Words

• Violate (verb): To break or fail to comply with a rule or agreement. To treat something sacred with disrespect. To rape.
  • The protestors did not violate any laws.
• Violator (noun): A person or entity that violates something.
  • Repeat violators will face harsher penalties.

Synonyms

• Breach: An act of breaking a law, promise, or agreement.
• Infringement: The action of breaking the terms of a law or agreement, often used regarding rights or patents.
• Transgression: An act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct.
• Desecration: The act of treating a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect.

Related Phrases

• "Violation of privacy": An intrusion into someone's private life or affairs.
  • Publishing those photos was a gross violation of privacy.
• "Violation of trust": An action that betrays someone's confidence or faith.
  • Sharing the secret was a serious violation of trust.

Related Idioms

• "Add insult to injury": While not containing the word "violation," this idiom describes making a bad situation worse, similar to compounding a violation with further offense.
  • First, he was late, and then, to add insult to injury, he forgot the report.

Noun

1. the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
2. a disrespectful act
3. entry to another's property without right or permission
4. an act that disregards an agreement or a right
   • he claimed a violation of his rights under the Fifth Amendment
5. a crime less serious than a felony