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View synonyms for violate
violate
[ vahy-uh-leyt ]
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
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Example Sentences
Violate the tombs, if she has taken refuge in the abodes of death, far within some passage or hypogeum.
From Project Gutenberg
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