ENGLISH
REFERENCE

violates

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈvaɪəɫeɪts// UK //vˈaɪəleɪts// vi·o·lates

v. to break a rule, a law, or an agreement. It can also mean to treat something private or holy without respect.

v. to break or fail to comply with a rule, law, or formal agreement; to treat something sacred with disrespect or to disturb someone's privacy. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The company violates the law by dumping waste in the river.

CONTEXTUAL

The new security policy violates the privacy of employees by tracking their personal phone usage during breaks.

COMPLEX

Legal experts argued that the proposed legislation violates the fundamental principles of the constitution by restricting freedom of assembly without a clear public safety justification.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, such as 'a law', 'a rule', or 'privacy'.

Pitfall

The action violates against the rules.The action violates the rules.Violate is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'against'.

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