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Glite Dictionary
🚫 To break rules 🛑 To disrespect ⚠️ To rape 🔥 To destroy
to violate

to violate

67 4.9
Treat a place, object, or tradition in a way that shows no respect
  • verb
  • /ˈvaɪəˌleɪt/
translation icon : vulnerar
  • And so much of regret is saying, OK, I did something that that led to an undesirable outcome or that violated one of my values.
  • violate privacy
  • violate a principle
  • violate cultural norms

Be curious about difference and not tear down or violate or harm difference.

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Examples

  • Then violate my privacy all you like.

  • His invasive form of recreation had violated our sense of community and place.

    Academic text (1999)

  • No physician should be expected to violate his or her own basic values.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Be curious about difference and not tear down or violate or harm difference.

    DoctorRamani

  • It's going to violate the sanctity of the traditional family.

  • My personal property was violated.

    QUICKSAND (2022)

  • It violates everything we said we were fighting for.

    Wilson (1944)

  • And this little guy who took the dignity training says to his mother, Mom, I think you just violated John's dignity.

  • Continued Forest Service threats to clear-cut the sacred area violated this basic principle of Indian belief.

    Academic text (1991)

  • It's important to respect others' beliefs and never violate their sacred traditions.

Synonyms

to desecrate
vsto violate
44 8.1

To damage or show disrespect to a holy place, for example a grave

also applies to private or respected things, not only sacred ones
to defile
vsto violate
38 8.6

To make something dirty or harm its reputation

focuses on showing disrespect toward sacred or private things rather than physical dirt
to profane
vsto violate
4 7.2

To treat a holy place or thing with disrespect

can also mean disrespect or damage to private or respected items
to outrage
vsto violate
  • Formal
2 7.9

Treat a holy place or object with disrespect

also covers disrespect or damage to private or respected things
to defile sacred ground
vsto violate
9.9

Treat a holy place like a temple with disrespect by damaging or polluting it

also applies to private or respected things, not only holy places

Antonyms

to protect
∞ 1.0

To keep someone or something safe from harm

respect
532 2.8

A particular part or detail of something

How Disrespectful

to violate
67 4.9
to profane
4 7.2
to disrespect
115 3.5
to offend
524 2.8

Surface Forms

violate infinitive
violated past
violated past participle
violating present participle
violates third person singular

Morphology

violate = violence (semi-transparent) = viol + ate

The sense 'desecrate' extends the idea of treating something with force or disrespect, a plausible metaphorical extension from 'violence' but not strictly literal.

Etymology

Violate comes from the Latin violare, which meant 'to use force' or 'to show no respect' and is the same root as violence. So, to violate a sacred place or private space is to damage it or treat it without respect.