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
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
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
In recent years, parents have increasingly resorted to filing complaints with the state, alleging that their school districts violated federal disability law.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
These unauthorized deepfakes and voice clones of actors violate the most basic aspects of personal autonomy and should be deeply concerning to everyone.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Mark Kelly’s military retiree status was important The Pentagon’s defense centered around the notion that its actions didn’t violate Kelly’s free speech rights because his speech wasn’t protected.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violate
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Verb
In June 2023, the court held that race-conscious admissions programs violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively curtailing the consideration of race in colleges nationwide.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
In recent years, parents have increasingly resorted to filing complaints with the state, alleging that their school districts violated federal disability law.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
These unauthorized deepfakes and voice clones of actors violate the most basic aspects of personal autonomy and should be deeply concerning to everyone.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Mark Kelly’s military retiree status was important The Pentagon’s defense centered around the notion that its actions didn’t violate Kelly’s free speech rights because his speech wasn’t protected.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violate
Cite this Entry
“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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