Skip to content
HOW TO PRONOUNCE

violate

/ˈvaɪəleɪt/

Press play to hear how to pronounce violate.

American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
Watch on YouTube ↗

What does violate mean?

verb

  1. To break or disregard (a rule or convention).
  2. To rape.
  3. (slang) To cite (a person) for a parole violation.
More meanings (3)

adjective

  1. (archaic) Subject to violation.
  2. (archaic) Synonym of violated.
  3. (archaic, obsolete) Morally impure.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈvaɪəleɪt/

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Bad men, you violate A twofold marriage, ’twixt my crown and me, And then betwixt me and my married wife.
William ShakespeareThe Complete Works of William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg ebook #100
While there may be those of high intelligence who violate the law at times, the barbarian and the defective always violate it.
United States. PresidentsUnited States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches: From Washington to George W. BushProject Gutenberg ebook #925
More book examples (3)
And in so doing they will do what is best, and will not violate, but preserve the natural relation of the sexes.
PlatoThe RepublicTranslated by Benjamin JowettProject Gutenberg ebook #1497
It was soon discovered that the whites were prepared to violate most of the articles of their treaty as the Indians understood it.
Charles A. EastmanIndian Heroes and Great ChieftainsProject Gutenberg ebook #336
To violate this combination is everywhere a most unpopular action, and a sort of reproach to a master among his neighbours and equals.
Adam SmithAn Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsProject Gutenberg ebook #3300