inviolate

[ in-vahy-uh-lit, -leyt ]

adjective

1. free from violation, injury, desecration, or outrage.
2. undisturbed; untouched.
3. unbroken.
4. not infringed.

inviolate

/ ɪnˈvaɪəlɪt; -ˌleɪt /

adjective

1. free from violation, injury, disturbance, etc
2. a less common word for inviolable

Derived Forms

• inˈviolacy, noun
• inˈviolately, adverb

Other Words From

• in·vi·o·la·cy [in-, vahy, -, uh, -l, uh, -see], in·vio·late·ness noun
• in·vio·late·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inviolate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin inviolātus unhurt, inviolable. See in- ³, violate

Example Sentences

The right-wing position that life begins at conception and is inviolate logically requires this decision by the Alabama Supreme Court.

From Seattle Times

There have been a number of shifting demands from these various factions but we now know that the one inviolate criterion is that any new speaker must be an election denier.

From Salon

Because this crosses a line you maintain is inviolate, you might consider taking a trial separation while your husband works on his issues.

From Washington Post

A last bastion of privacy, our brains have remained inviolate, even as sensors now record our heartbeats, breaths, steps and sleep.

From Scientific American

People respond to the shooting of elementary schoolchildren as a kind of acceptable mayhem to ensure that the right to gun ownership remains inviolate.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• clean
• decent
• fresh
• good
• honest
• true