fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns; "This sentence violates the rules of syntax"
Used in a Sentence
violate
How to use violate in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for violate.
Editorial note
I know the actual number, though I'm pretty sure that'd violate my NDA to reveal.
Examples7
Definitions6
Parts of speech1
Quick take
fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns; "This sentence violates the rules of syntax"
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of violate gathered in one view.
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises; "offend all laws of humanity"; "violate the basic laws or human civilization"; "break a law"; "break a promise"
destroy; "Don't violate my garden"; "violate my privacy"
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for violate.
verb
fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns; "This sentence violates the rules of syntax"
See also: break
verb
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises; "offend all laws of humanity"; "violate the basic laws or human civilization"; "break a law"; "break a promise"
See also: transgress, offend, infract, breach, break
verb
destroy; "Don't violate my garden"; "violate my privacy"
verb
violate the sacred character of a place or language; "desecrate a cemetery"; "violate the sanctity of the church"; "profane the name of God"
verb
force (someone) to have sex against their will; "The woman was raped on her way home at night"
See also: rape, ravish, assault, dishonor, dishonour, outrage
verb
destroy and strip of its possession; "The soldiers raped the beautiful country"
Example sentences
I know the actual number, though I'm pretty sure that'd violate my NDA to reveal.
Florida loves to drug test people in an attempt to violate them on their probation.
This conduct by Apple did not merely violate the "spirit" of the order.
If shareholders are told that profits are secondary, you don't violate trust by not putting them first.
If you're going to violate their policies, they will stop working with you, regardless of the impact on your business.
The jury ruled that Google violated copyright if and only if APIs are copyrightable.
Patent law isn't intended to provide mechanisms to sue end-user consumers of scanners that violate patents, it's intended to protect innovators from having their ideas taken without compensation by large engineering firms.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use violate in a sentence?
I know the actual number, though I'm pretty sure that'd violate my NDA to reveal.
What does violate mean?
fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns; "This sentence violates the rules of syntax"
What part of speech is violate?
violate is commonly used as verb.