Dictionary

violate

to act against an agreement, a law or a court order etc His actions clearly violate the agreement.

Phrase Bank

  • Many students unknowingly violate copyright law by photocopying entire chapters of reference books.
  • This violates the law.
  • The ex-criminal violated his probation.
  • The government is violating the rights of its citizens.

Additional Notes

  • Contravene, abridge, breach and flout are synonyms.
    Related concept:
  • infringe means to violate a right. Used especially in the context of a violation of a copyright, patent or trade mark.
    eg The claimant argued that the defendant infringed its copyright by using the software without its consent.