contravention

noun

con·​tra·​ven·​tion ˌkän-trə-ˈven(t)-shən How to pronounce contravention (audio)
: the act of contravening : violation

Examples of contravention in a Sentence

a clandestine weapons program that was a contravention of the international arms agreement
Recent Examples on the Web Detainees are also denied access to lawyers for up to 90 days and their location is withheld from rights groups as well as from the International Committee of the Red Cross, in what some legal experts say is a contravention of international law. Bilal Shbair, New York Times, 6 June 2024 Some of this fuel has been used to supply the U.S. military in a contravention of US sanctions, as companies commit to not buying Iranian fuel when taking on U.S. government contracts. Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Ben asked, in direct contravention of the mantra that everything is necessarily the best in the best of all possible leagues. Rory Smith, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2023 A day later, Ohio’s legislature essentially created an organization that’s immune from government oversight—in direct contravention of a state Supreme Court ruling two months ago. Jack Shuler, The New Republic, 10 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for contravention 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contravention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Late Latin contravenire — more at contravene

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contravention was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near contravention

Cite this Entry

“Contravention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contravention. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

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