View synonyms for violate

violate

[ vahy-uh-leyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, vi·o·lat·ed, vi·o·lat·ing.

to act against (a law, principle, promise, agreement, instruction, etc.); break, transgress, or fail to honor:
He violated city bylaws by building without a permit.
I’d stay longer, but I don’t want to violate my curfew.
to treat (something precious, sacred, beautiful, etc.) with disrespect or contempt; mar or desecrate:
They feel compelled to speak out against governments that violate human rights.
to break through or into by force or without right, as a border, home, property, restricted space, etc.:
A hostile power has violated our airspace.
They returned to find that their home had been violated.
to break in upon or disturb rudely; interfere thoughtlessly with:
These surveillance cameras violate my privacy.
to molest sexually, especially to rape.

violate

/ ˈvaɪəˌleɪt /

verb

to break, disregard, or infringe (a law, agreement, etc)
to rape or otherwise sexually assault
to disturb rudely or improperly; break in upon
to treat irreverently or disrespectfully; outrage
he violated a sanctuary
obsolete.
to mistreat physically

adjective

archaic.
violated or dishonoured

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Derived Forms

ˈviolative, adjective
ˌviolaˈbility, noun
ˈviolably, adverb
ˈviolable, adjective
ˌvioˈlation, noun
ˈvioˌlator, noun

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Other Words From

vi·o·la·tor vi·o·lat·er noun
pre·vi·o·late verb (used with object) previolated previolating
re·vi·o·late verb (used with object) reviolated reviolating

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Word History and Origins

Origin of violate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin violātus “treated with violence,” past participle of violāre “to treat with violence, violate,” apparently derivative of violentus violent ( def ) (taking viol- as base); -ate ¹( def )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of violate¹

C15: from Latin violāre to do violence to, from vīs strength

Related Words

viola d'amore violated

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