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
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Faced with community complaints, Mayor Karen Bass retools her affordable housing strategy
July 6, 2024
This summer, low-income housing advocates sued the city alleging that Feldstein Soto and Park, with the tacit support of Bass, violated fair housing laws by slow-walking the project.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
The Department of Justice reported on the case in their investigation into the Phoenix Police Department and found that police violated protesters' rights.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
Cantor agreed to settle the SEC’s charges by agreeing to pay a $6.75 million civil penalty and agreeing to not violate the securities laws at issue in the case.
—Christina Wilkie, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for violate 
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Verb
The lawsuit alleges the restaurant violated the Texas Dram Shop Act by failing to uphold its staff to safely sell alcoholic beverages.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Faced with community complaints, Mayor Karen Bass retools her affordable housing strategy
July 6, 2024
This summer, low-income housing advocates sued the city alleging that Feldstein Soto and Park, with the tacit support of Bass, violated fair housing laws by slow-walking the project.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
The Department of Justice reported on the case in their investigation into the Phoenix Police Department and found that police violated protesters' rights.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
Cantor agreed to settle the SEC’s charges by agreeing to pay a $6.75 million civil penalty and agreeing to not violate the securities laws at issue in the case.
—Christina Wilkie, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for violate
Dictionary Entries Near violate
Cite this Entry
“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violate. Accessed 18 Dec. 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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