What does violate mean?
Violate is a transitive verb meaning to break or disregard a law, rule, agreement, or other binding condition. It is especially common in legal and formal contexts, where phrases such as violate the law or violate a contract describe conduct that breaches an obligation. The verb also applies to rights and boundaries: a person may violate someone's privacy, dignity, or physical space. More broadly, it can describe breaking a moral, religious, or social principle, often with an implication of deliberate or serious wrongdoing. Although the word is sometimes used emphatically, it is not inherently informal; its tone is usually serious and authoritative. Violate is related etymologically to violence and violent, reflecting its Latin roots in force and injury. In modern English, it is more precise than a generic synonym such as break when the object is a law, agreement, right, or boundary. It is useful because it clearly signals both an unauthorized breach and a potential violation.
verbTo break or disregard a law, rule, agreement, right, or established boundary. It can also refer to intruding on privacy, dignity, physical integrity, or a moral or religious principle.
- To break a law, regulation, contract, agreement, or formal rule.
- To infringe on a right, privacy, dignity, physical boundary, or other protected condition.
- To breach a moral, religious, or social principle.
"The company violated the agreement by sharing confidential information with an unauthorized third party."
"Drivers who violate the speed limit may face a substantial fine."
"The advertisement was accused of violating the artist's privacy by using an image without permission."
Violate has a forceful past: it comes from a Latin word meaning to use force against, treat violently, or injure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does violate come from?
Violate entered English in the early 17th century from French violer, from Latin violāre, meaning to use force against, injure, or treat with violence. Latin violāre is related to vis, meaning force or power, and the same root underlies words such as violence and violent. The modern senses preserve both the original idea of forceful treatment and the later legal sense of breaching a law, agreement, or right.
Related word forms
How violate is actually used
Usually transitive and formal or serious in tone. It is especially common in legal, ethical, and political contexts, and often suggests an intentional or consequential breach.