WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
vi•o•late /ˈvaɪəˌleɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Lawto break or infringe (a law, a promise, instructions, etc.):to violate the law by stealing.
- to break in upon or disturb rudely:to violate someone's privacy.
- Lawto assault sexually, esp. to rape.
- to treat without proper reverence or respect;
to desecrate:to violate a church.
vi•o•late
(vī′ə lāt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
vi′o•la′tor, vi′o•lat′er, n.
- Lawto break, infringe, or transgress (a law, rule, agreement, promise, instructions, etc.).
- to break in upon or disturb rudely;
interfere thoughtlessly with:to violate his privacy. - to break through or pass by force or without right:to violate a frontier.
- to treat irreverently or disrespectfully;
desecrate;
profane:violate a human right. - Lawto molest sexually, esp. to rape.
- Latin violātus, past participle of violāre to treat with violence, violate, apparently derivative of violentus violent (taking viol- as base); see -ate1
- late Middle English 1400–50
'violator' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):