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
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, argues that the decision violated federal law.
—Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The Project Rise investors fired off a legal letter in October 2024 claiming that Paramount’s special committee violated its fiduciary duty to shareholders by neglecting to consider the group’s previous $8.5 billion bid for the company.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Prosecutors also point out that Darden violated several conditions of his bail following his conviction last October.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for violate 
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Verb
Passengers whose attire or tattoos violate these guidelines may be denied boarding or even removed from a flight.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, argues that the decision violated federal law.
—Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The Project Rise investors fired off a legal letter in October 2024 claiming that Paramount’s special committee violated its fiduciary duty to shareholders by neglecting to consider the group’s previous $8.5 billion bid for the company.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Prosecutors also point out that Darden violated several conditions of his bail following his conviction last October.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for violate
Dictionary Entries Near violate
Cite this Entry
“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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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