Violate Definition

vīə-lāt

violated, violates, violating

verb

violated, violates, violating

To break (a law, rule, promise, etc.); fail to keep or observe; infringe on.

Webster's New World

To commit a sexual assault on; often, specif., to rape (a woman)

Webster's New World

To desecrate or profane (something sacred)

Webster's New World

To break in upon; interrupt thoughtlessly; disturb.

To violate someone's privacy.

Webster's New World

To offend, insult, or outrage.

To violate one's sense of decency.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Violate

From Latin violatus, past participle of violare (“treat with violence, whether bodily or mental"), from vis (“strength, power, force, violence")

From Wiktionary
Middle English violaten from Latin violāre violāt- from vīs vi- force weiə- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition