VIOLATE Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

violate

verb

ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt

Definition of violate

as in to break

to fail to keep you've violated the company's rule against smoking within 30 feet of the building

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to desecrate

to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect the invaders violated the temple by using it to stable their horses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rape

to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent criminal statutes delineating acts that constitute violating another person

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of violate However, district leaders maintain their schools have never had such plans, did not violate federal laws and made substantial efforts to comply with the department’s requests — even submitting agreements to the department that were rejected. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 And in New Mexico, the state pursued its own enforcement action, alleging that Meta endangered children and violated state consumer protection law. — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 The publication’s publisher, its editor in chief and a reporter allege that the government violated their First Amendment rights to free speech. — Scott Nover, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 Having both in the air at the same time seemed to violate safety procedures put in place after last year’s midair collision near the busy airport that killed 67 people, but officials stressed the president was never in danger. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for violate

Verb

Kusama’s large-scale sculptures and immersive installations break attendance records at museums and galleries around the world, and her works regularly set records at auction.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Diamondbacks third baseman Jose Fernandez broke hard for the ball, and no one covered third in his place.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of break

Verb

But as building efforts have ramped up, the administration has run into opposition from landowners, environmental groups, and Native American tribes who say construction is violating property rights and desecrating sacred Indigenous sites.

— Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The real end of Oak Street comes not from the feet and chompers of the dinosaurs but from a moviemaker who revives the idyllic 1980s only to desecrate them with wokeness.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of desecrate

Verb

OpenAI announcing that its upcoming AI model, dubbed Astra, breaches certain cybersecurity thresholds and will have throttled-back cyber capabilities when released.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
In June, Newcastle were fined €6m and entered into a stringent agreement with UEFA after breaching their regulations.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of breach

Verb

In 2025, Ukraine smuggled over 100 drones into Russia inside cargo trucks to conduct strikes that damaged or destroyed roughly one-third of Russia’s active bomber fleet and caused approximately $7 billion in damages.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Some 36,000 houses and buildings were destroyed or damaged, and more than 2,000 people are still living in evacuation centers, including school gymnasiums and community centers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Two years ago he was suspended for three months by the Cricket Regulator for betting on cricket between 2017 and 2019, contravening the game’s rules.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
The ban contravenes advice from the World Health Organization, which advises against travel or trade restrictions with Congo, where officials are currently struggling to contain a large ⁠outbreak of Ebola.

— Reuters, NBC news, 19 July 2026

Definition of contravene

Verb

Happy anniversary from a California native who fell in love with the coast at first sight, and shame on those who would defile it.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
To defile the legacy of his family and that family name is sickening, and turns my stomach.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026

Definition of defile

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violable

violate

violated

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“Violate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of violate

verb

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