violate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns
    go against; break.
    • This sentence violates the rules of syntax
  2. verb act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
    go against; infract; break; offend; breach; transgress.
    • offend all laws of humanity
    • violate the basic laws or human civilization
    • break a law
    • break a promise
  3. verb destroy
    • Don't violate my garden
    • violate my privacy
  4. verb violate the sacred character of a place or language
    outrage; desecrate; profane.
    • desecrate a cemetery
    • violate the sanctity of the church
    • profane the name of God
  5. verb force (someone) to have sex against their will
    ravish; dishonor; assault; dishonour; outrage; rape.
    • The woman was raped on her way home at night
  6. verb destroy and strip of its possession
    plunder; spoil; rape; despoil.
    • The soldiers raped the beautiful country

WordNet

Vi"o*late transitive verb
Etymology
L. violatus, p. p. of violare to violate, fr. vis strength, force. See Violent.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Violates ; present participle & verbal noun Violating
Definitions
  1. To treat in a violent manner; to abuse.
    His wife Boadicea violated with stripes, his daughters with rape. Milton.
  2. To do violence to, as to anything that should be held sacred or respected; to profane; to desecrate; to break forcibly; to trench upon; to infringe.
    Violated vows 'Twixt the souls of friend and friend. Shak.
    Oft have they violated The temple, oft the law, with foul affronts. Milton.
  3. To disturb; to interrupt. "Employed, it seems, to violate sleep." Milton.
  4. To commit rape on; to ravish; to outrage. Syn. -- To injure; disturb; interrupt; infringe; transgress; profane; deflour; debauch; dishonor.

Webster 1913