violate trust

USAGE SUMMARY

"violate trust" is a valid phrase that is often used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to somebody breaking the trust another person has placed in them. For example, "His actions violated the trust his parents placed in him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Third, Congress must oversee continual implementation of the interim agreement: We cannot permit Iran to violate trust again by advancing its nuclear program even as it joins negotiations.

The New York Times

"It is especially troubling that this reporter chose to misrepresent his intentions and violate trust and access given him at a time when Senator Bruno was dealing with difficult personal and family issues".

The New York Times

Violate trust.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

During the early stage, violating trust can be especially damaging because the nature of the relationship still is not fully established.

Harvard University

Yes, sometimes restoring violated trust will take time, and you can't force a process.

Forbes

When you have violated trust, apologized and sought to make amends (even if it was unintentional)?

Forbes

If we get cocky and start manipulating the experience or violating trust, our users will let us know and we'll pay for it.

HuffPost

In the early rounds, the recipient (actually a computer) violated trust by keeping the $6 a couple of times in a row.

Huffington Post

Either way, the behavior is profoundly damaging to a supposedly monogamous long-term partnership -- violating trust and decreasing the emotional connection between the two partners.

Huffington Post

However, we also found that violated trust was a theme within dehumanisation.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Thus, the feeling of violated trust caused an internal struggle between the women's acceptance of authority and their need to acknowledge their independence and self-respect.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "violate trust", ensure the context clearly indicates who is violating the trust and whose trust is being violated for maximum clarity. For example, instead of saying simply "The trust was violated", state "The employee violated the trust of the company."

Common error

While "violate trust" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively, especially in informal contexts. Simpler phrases like "break a promise" or "betray someone" might be more appropriate and direct in certain situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "violate trust" functions as a verb phrase where "violate" acts as a transitive verb taking "trust" as its direct object. It describes the action of breaking or betraying a bond of confidence. Ludwig confirms this is a valid and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "violate trust" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe the act of breaking a bond of confidence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid expression used across various contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly define whose trust is being violated to avoid ambiguity. While synonyms like "betray confidence" exist, "violate trust" often carries a stronger connotation of a deliberate or significant breach. Remember to consider the context and choose the most appropriate phrase to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

betray confidence

Replaces "violate trust" with synonyms, focusing on the betrayal aspect.

betrayal of trust

Transforms the verb phrase into a noun phrase, emphasizing the act of betrayal.

abuse confidence

Highlights the misuse of the trust that was given.

breach faith

Uses a more formal tone to convey a break in loyalty or commitment.

shatter trust

Emphasizes the destructive impact of the violation.

break a promise

Focuses on the act of not keeping one's word, a common way to violate trust.

go back on one's word

Similar to breaking a promise, but more idiomatic.

undermine trust

Suggests a gradual erosion of trust, rather than a sudden break.

act disloyally

Focuses on the lack of loyalty as the cause of the violation.

disregard trust

Focuses on ignoring or not respecting the trust placed in someone.

FAQs

How can I use "violate trust" in a sentence?

You can use "violate trust" to describe an action that breaks a bond of confidence or reliability between individuals or entities. For example, "The politician's actions "violated the trust" of his constituents".

What are some synonyms for "violate trust"?

Alternatives to "violate trust" include "betray confidence", "breach faith", or "abuse confidence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "violate trust" and "lose trust"?

"Violate trust" implies an active betrayal or breaking of an established trust, while "lose trust" suggests a gradual erosion or diminishing of confidence, often without a specific intentional act.

Is it better to say "violate someone's trust" or "violate the trust"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "violate someone's trust" is more specific and indicates whose trust was broken. "Violate the trust" can be used when referring to a general or abstract concept of trust, such as violating the public trust.