violate
♦ vio|late /v'aɪəleɪt/ (violates violating violated)
1 [VERB] V n
If someone violates an agreement, law, or promise, they break it. (FORMAL)
They went to prison because they violated the law...
= break
● violation [N-VAR] usu N of n
To deprive the boy of his education is a violation of state law...
He was in violation of his contract.
● violator [N-COUNT]
...a government which is a known violator of human rights.
2 [VERB] V n
If you violate someone's privacy or peace, you disturb it. (FORMAL)
These men were violating her family's privacy.
3 [VERB] V n
If someone violates a special place, for example a grave, they damage it or treat it with disrespect.
Detectives are still searching for those who violated the graveyard.
= desecrate
● violation [N-UNCOUNT] usu N of n
The violation of the graves is not the first such incident.
1 [VERB] V n
If someone violates an agreement, law, or promise, they break it. (FORMAL)
They went to prison because they violated the law...
= break
● violation [N-VAR] usu N of n
To deprive the boy of his education is a violation of state law...
He was in violation of his contract.
● violator [N-COUNT]
...a government which is a known violator of human rights.
2 [VERB] V n
If you violate someone's privacy or peace, you disturb it. (FORMAL)
These men were violating her family's privacy.
3 [VERB] V n
If someone violates a special place, for example a grave, they damage it or treat it with disrespect.
Detectives are still searching for those who violated the graveyard.
= desecrate
● violation [N-UNCOUNT] usu N of n
The violation of the graves is not the first such incident.