vi·o·late
ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt 
violated; violating
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
Synonyms
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
Eli Joseph, Fortune, 6 June 2024
While the Taliban argued the strike violated the terms of the 2020 Doha Agreement that put in motion the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the accord also included a promise by the Taliban not harbor al-Qaida members or others seeking to attack America.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune Asia, 5 June 2024
In similar proceedings against another attorney, the D.C. Bar’s disciplinary authority issued a preliminary finding that Jeffrey Clark, former acting head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, also violated D.C. ethics rules and should be sanctioned.
—Elise J. Bean, The Conversation, 4 June 2024
Despite the small amount of money wagered by Kelly, his gambling activity violated the rule in place and triggered that one-year ban.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for violate 
Verb
Many of the videos violated YouTube’s own policies against violent or gory content.
—Eli Joseph, Fortune, 6 June 2024
While the Taliban argued the strike violated the terms of the 2020 Doha Agreement that put in motion the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the accord also included a promise by the Taliban not harbor al-Qaida members or others seeking to attack America.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune Asia, 5 June 2024
In similar proceedings against another attorney, the D.C. Bar’s disciplinary authority issued a preliminary finding that Jeffrey Clark, former acting head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, also violated D.C. ethics rules and should be sanctioned.
—Elise J. Bean, The Conversation, 4 June 2024
Despite the small amount of money wagered by Kelly, his gambling activity violated the rule in place and triggered that one-year ban.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for violate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'violate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near violate
Cite this Entry
“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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