English Explanatory Dictionary

violate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To break or disregard (a rule or convention).
  2. To rape.
  3. To cite (a person) for a parole violation.
adj
  1. Subject to violation.
  2. Synonym of violated.
  3. Morally impure.

Pronunciation

/ˈvaɪəˌleɪt/ en-us-violate.ogg

Word forms

violate violates violating violated no-table-tags glossary violatest violatedst violateth more violate most violate

Etymology

From Middle English violaten (“to defile, render impure”), from violat(e) (“defiled, desecrated”, also used as the past participle of violaten) + -en, borrowed from Latin violātus, perfect passive participle of violō (“to treat with violence (whether bodily or mental)”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Ultimately from vīs (“strength, power, force, violence”).

Synonyms

ravish viole vitiate abuse constuprate defile defoul dishonour force misuse oppress outrage pollute rape ravage r-word scotch turn out violate grape violated

Antonyms

comply obey

Related words

violable violation inviolate

Derived words

violative violatory unviolate
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