violate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'violate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'violate' when you are referring to an act that goes against a law, agreement, or set of moral principles. For example, "The perpetrator violated the victim's right to privacy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Helping another nation to violate international law is itself a violation of the law.European allegations of "hundreds" of CIA "torture flights" to a new "Gulag Archipelago" in eastern Europe are "so ludicrously overblown as to be laughable", American officials protest.

The Economist

The practice is at odds with three UN human rights documents that Bangladesh has signed, such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, but its consequences violate many more.

The Guardian

Joe Biden, the US vice-president, "strongly condemned" the violence and warned the "costs to Russia will rise" if it "continues to violate the Minsk agreements, including the most recent agreement signed on 12 February".

The Guardian

Catholic schools that participate are being asked not to donate to the ALS Association because it has a study under way using embryonic stem cell research, which is thought to violate teaching on abortion.

The Guardian

He said: "Georgia should not violate its own prohibition against executing individuals with seriously diminished capacity".

The Guardian

And there are numerous licensed gangmasters who violate the rules and exploit the loopholes".

The Guardian - Opinion

Moreover, in its own legal challenge to the subpoena, the firm accused prosecutors of trying to force its employees to violate federal law.

The Guardian

He highlights a review of the NSA's power that recommended it be no longer permitted to collect phone records in bulk or undermine internet security, findings endorsed in part by Barack Obama, and a federal judge's ruling that bulk phone record collection is likely to violate the US constitution.

The Guardian

No bar or restaurant dared violate the ordinance.

The Guardian

Undoubtedly, there is no evidence that the Sri Lankan armed forces have systematically used rape as a tactic of war – when soldiers rape en masse in order to terrorise, violate and humiliate the "other".

The Guardian - Opinion

But we cannot be specific about why we have removed the information, because that could violate an individual's privacy rights under the court's decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. While "violate" can sometimes refer to physical assault, it's more commonly used in legal, ethical, and abstract discussions. Ensure your usage aligns with the intended meaning.

Common error

While "violate" is a strong and appropriate word, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "break" or "disobey" when discussing minor infractions or everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "violate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being breached or disregarded. Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness of its use in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "violate" is a transitive verb primarily used to describe the act of breaking or disregarding a rule, law, agreement, or someone's rights. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its function is often to express disapproval, and it carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for news reporting, legal discussions, and ethical analyses. While it's a strong word, be mindful of its register and opt for less formal alternatives in casual settings. Common synonyms include "breach", "infringe upon", and "contravene", each with slight nuances in meaning. Overall, "violate" is a powerful and commonly used word for describing serious breaches of established norms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contravene

Formal synonym for "violate", often used in legal or official contexts.

infringe upon

Emphasizes the encroachment or intrusion upon someone's rights or territory.

breach

Focuses on breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.

transgress

Implies exceeding or overstepping moral or legal boundaries.

defy

Highlights the act of openly resisting or disobeying authority or rules.

disobey

A general term for failing to follow instructions or rules.

fly in the face of

Idiomatic expression for directly opposing or contradicting something.

go against

Suggests opposition or conflict with established norms or expectations.

disregard

Indicates a lack of attention to or respect for rules or principles.

contravene the spirit of

Focuses on acting against the underlying intention of a rule, even if not explicitly breaking it.

FAQs

How is "violate" typically used in a sentence?

The verb "violate" is used to describe the action of breaking or disregarding a law, agreement, principle, or someone's rights. For instance, "The company was found to "violate" environmental regulations."

What words can I use instead of "violate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "breach", "infringe upon", "contravene", or "transgress".

Is there a difference between "violate" and "infringe"?

"Violate" generally implies a direct and often serious breach of a rule or right, while "infringe" suggests a more subtle encroachment or limitation of a right or freedom.

What does it mean to say that something "violates the spirit of" a law?

To ""violate" the spirit of" a law means to act in a way that, while not technically breaking the explicit rules, goes against the underlying intention or purpose of the law.