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
Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
The European Union has opened an investigation into government subsidies utilized by China’s EV industry and whether such support violates international trade laws.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for violate 
Verb
Republicans said Mayorkas repeatedly violated laws enacted by Congress regarding immigration and border security by allowing millions of immigrants to enter the U.S. every year.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
The European Union has opened an investigation into government subsidies utilized by China’s EV industry and whether such support violates international trade laws.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for violate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'violate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near violate
Cite this Entry
“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violate. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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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