ENGLISH
REFERENCE

violated

v. · adj.
US //ˈvaɪəɫeɪtɪd// UK //vˈaɪəleɪtɪd// vi·o·lat·ed
  1. 1 to break a rule (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

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

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

    Example

    The company violated the safety rules and had to pay a large fine.

    Example

    The international tribunal concluded that the state had violated several articles of the treaty regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.
  2. 2 to treat without respect (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to treat a private place or a person's body in a way that is disrespectful or harmful.

    to disturb or disregard the sanctity of a private space or the physical autonomy of a person. Often used in contexts of sexual assault or the desecration of graves.

    Example

    She felt violated when she found out someone had looked through her private diary.

    Example

    The community was outraged to find that vandals had violated the ancient burial ground during the night.
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  1. 3 broken or ignored (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    describing a rule or right that has been ignored or broken.

    referring to a law, principle, or boundary that has been disregarded or breached. Typically used as a predicative adjective.

    Example

    The protesters argued that their basic human rights were being violated.

    Example

    The report highlighted several instances where the ceasefire agreement was clearly violated by both parties involved in the conflict.

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