violate
violate Lexical Profile
violate Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To break or fail to comply with a rule, law, treaty, or formal agreement.
"The company was fined heavily after regulators found that it had violated environmental safety standards."
To fail to respect or unjustly intrude upon someone's peace, privacy, or rights.
"Installing hidden cameras in the break room clearly violates the employees' right to privacy."
To treat a sacred place or object with irreverence, disrespect, or destructive disregard.
"The ancient monument was violated by vandals who carved their initials into the stone."
• Rhymes for violate
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from the Latin past participle stem 'violatus' (from 'violare', meaning 'to treat with violence or dishonor'), which is related to 'vis', meaning 'strength' or 'force'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.