violated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "violated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a rule, law, or agreement has been broken or disregarded. Example: "The terms of the contract were violated when the company failed to deliver the products on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that creates huge inequalities," he said at the time.

The Guardian

The Donetsk airport has remained a main area of contention despite the ceasefire that has been violated by both sides.

The Guardian

They claimed that Atlas violated the little-known Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (Gina) by taking their genetic information.

The Guardian - Opinion

For years the government has violated the privacy of innocent Americans, and I share your anger," he said.

The Guardian

But at 2.16am, Rice filed an application to a Carroll County court for criminal charges against McAleer, alleging he had indeed violated the order and the arrangement placed Rice's 15-year-old son in danger.

The Guardian

He claimed the original court's decision violated article eight and his right to respect for private and family life.

The Guardian

The jail itself "systematically violated inmates' constitutional rights", according to a 2010 stipulation by the US Department of Justice, through the use of "excessive force by staff, the failure to protect inmates from harm by fellow inmates, inadequate medical and mental healthcare, and a lack of adequate fire safety and sanitation".

The Guardian

A "use of deadly force" review board and an external review committee found that officer David Kelley violated police policy when he opened fire.

The Guardian

That was the law which George Bush, in late 2001, violated, when he secretly authorized eavesdropping on the international calls of Americans without any warrants from that court.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's the antithesis of democracy Maina Kiai, UN rapporteur on the freedom of peaceful assembly The 23-year-old single mother says she withdrew from anti-racism campaigning as she was left "feeling violated, isolated, vulnerable and paranoid" by the attempted recruitment.

The Guardian

Lokshina said the US embassy had contacted her en route to the airport urging her to tell Snowden that the US position was that "he is not a human rights defender, he is not a whistleblower, and that he violated the law and should be held responsible".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts being broken, such as "rights" or "principles", "violated" is an appropriate and impactful choice. For instance, "The suspect's rights were violated during the interrogation."

Common error

Avoid using "violated" to describe minor inconveniences or frustrations. It is more appropriate for significant breaches of rules, laws, or personal boundaries. For example, saying "My schedule was violated" when a meeting runs late is an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The word "violated" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle, indicating that an action has broken a rule, law, or agreement. It can also function as an adjective, describing something that has been broken or abused. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples across different source types.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "violated" is a versatile word primarily used as a verb (past tense/participle) or adjective to denote the breaking or disregard of a rule, law, or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across numerous contexts, particularly within News & Media. The term maintains a neutral register, lending itself to both formal and informal communication. When writing, ensure that you’re using "violated" in situations where there’s a legitimate breach, rather than a minor inconvenience. Consider alternatives such as "infringed upon" or "breached" for nuanced meaning. As Ludwig suggests, being mindful of the specific context ensures clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infringed upon

More formal alternative, emphasizing a transgression against rights or laws.

contravened

Implies a direct opposition to a rule or law.

breached

Suggests a breaking of trust or agreement.

transgressed

Indicates a crossing of moral or legal boundaries.

defied

Emphasizes a bold or open resistance to authority.

disregarded

Suggests a lack of attention or respect for a rule.

flouted

Implies a contemptuous disregard for the law.

trampled on

Highlights the forceful and disrespectful nature of the violation.

overstepped

Indicates exceeding acceptable boundaries or limits.

disobeyed

A general term indicating a failure to follow instructions or rules.

FAQs

How to use "violated" in a sentence?

Use "violated" to indicate that a law, agreement, right, or principle has been broken or disregarded. For example, "The contract was violated when they missed the deadline."

What can I say instead of "violated"?

You can use alternatives like "infringed upon", "contravened", or "breached" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "violated" or "infringed"?

Both "violated" and "infringed" can be correct, depending on the context. "Violated" is more general, while "infringed" is often used when referring to rights or laws. For example, "His rights were infringed upon", or "The agreement was violated."

What's the difference between "violated" and "breached"?

"Violated" suggests a breaking of a rule, law, or principle, while "breached" often implies a breaking of trust or a formal agreement. You might say a contract was "breached" or someone's rights were "violated".