# violate

/ˈvaɪəɫeɪt/ (US) · /vˈaɪəleɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/violate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to break a rule or law

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to break a law, an agreement, or a formal rule.

For teachers: to fail to comply with a law, treaty, or regulation. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the rule being broken.

- The company had to pay a fine because they violated safety rules.
- The international tribunal determined that the state had violated several articles of the Geneva Convention during the border dispute.

Usage: Commonly used with objects like 'law', 'treaty', 'rights', or 'policy'.

### 2. to disturb or disrespect

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to treat a person, a place, or someone's privacy without respect.

For teachers: to treat a person, sacred place, or private space with irreverence or without consent.

- The loud music violated the peaceful atmosphere of the park.
- The protesters felt that the new surveillance cameras violated their right to privacy in public spaces.

Teaching tip: In modern contexts, this is often used regarding 'privacy' or 'personal space'.

### 3. sexual assault

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

to attack someone sexually.

For teachers: to commit an act of sexual assault or rape against a person. Highly formal or literary in this specific usage.

- The victim spoke out about how she had been violated.
- The historical novel depicts the harsh realities of war, including how civilians were often violated by invading forces.

Teaching tip: This is a very serious and sensitive term; in modern legal English, 'sexual assault' is more common.

## Examples

- The company had to pay a fine because they violated the law.
- The new security cameras were removed after residents complained that they violated their right to privacy.
- International observers noted that the military intervention appeared to violate several established treaties regarding territorial sovereignty and the protection of non-combatants.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.