violated
/ˈvaɪ.ə.leɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈaɪəletɪd] /ˈvaɪ.ə.leɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈaɪəletɪd] /ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce violate (audio)/ (ame, mw)
violated — verb
- violatedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- violateds3rd person singular
- violateding-ing form
- violatededpast simple
1. to fail to follow a law, rule, or agreement that you are supposed to obey — for
to fail to follow a law, rule, or agreement that you are supposed to obey — for example, violating a contract by not paying on time, or violating someone's rights by searching their home without a warrant.
The construction company violated safety regulations and was fined over 50,000 dollars.
violate + regulations
By reading his personal emails without asking, Christopher violated company policy.
The government violated the international treaty when it built the military base on protected land.
Vikram violated the terms of his student visa by working too many hours.
Any employer who violates anti-discrimination laws can be taken to court.
- obey
to follow a law, rule, or instruction
- observe
formal; to respect and follow a rule or custom
- comply with
to act according to a rule or request
文法句型
violate + noun phrase (law/agreement/right/rule/principle)
用法筆記
The object is typically an abstract noun such as law, rule, regulation, agreement, contract, right, or principle. This sense is frequently found in legal and formal contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to force your way into somewhere private or restricted, showing no respect for i
to force your way into somewhere private or restricted, showing no respect for its intended purpose — for example, violating someone's privacy by reading their diary, or violating the peace of a temple with loud noise.
The loud music from the nightclub violated the peace of the quiet residential street.
violate + peace (of a place)
Journalists who entered the hospital without permission violated the patients' right to privacy.
violate + privacy / right to privacy
The sound of helicopters violated the stillness of the mountain temple where Yael was meditating.
The tower block will violate the historic character of the neighbourhood.
No one should violate the quiet of a library by playing music through a loudspeaker.
- invade
stronger, suggests hostile military-style entry
- encroach upon
gradual or subtle intrusion into someone's space
- trespass on
specifically about entering private property without permission
文法句型
violate + noun phrase (privacy/peace/space/sanctuary)
用法筆記
Often describes a forceful or disrespectful entry into a physical space (home, temple, sanctuary) or an abstract space (privacy, peace, stillness). The verb carries a strong sense of moral wrongness.
常見錯誤
3. to force someone to take part in sexual activity against their will — a formal o
to force someone to take part in sexual activity against their will — a formal or legal term for rape or violent sexual assault.
The soldier was convicted of violating civilians during the occupation of the region.
violate used as a legal term for sexual assault
After being violated during the attack, Ada sought help from a trauma counsellor.
The court heard evidence that the prisoner had been violated by other inmates.
The documentary exposed how women in the conflict zone were routinely violated with impunity.
The charity helps survivors who were violated in war zones rebuild their lives.
文法句型
violate + noun phrase (person)
用法筆記
A formal and legal term. In everyday conversation, 'rape' or 'sexual assault' is more common. Frequently appears in the passive voice (be/get violated).
常見錯誤
violated — adjective
- violatedpositive
- more violatedcomparative
- most violatedsuperlative
1. describes a place or object that has been damaged or treated without the respect
describes a place or object that has been damaged or treated without the respect it deserves, especially a holy, important, or personal space — for example, a cemetery with knocked-over headstones, or a church after being broken into and damaged.
The ancient temple looked violated after tourists carved their names into the stone walls.
adjective describing a desecrated place
Hiro found the family grave had been violated, with flowers scattered and vases broken.
The church felt violated after the burglary — windows smashed and the altar overturned.
The protected forest was violated when loggers cut down ancient trees.
After the burglary, the elderly couple felt their home was violated and unsafe.
- desecrated
specifically for holy or sacred things; stronger religious connotation
- defiled
literary or religious; suggests making something impure or dirty
- damaged
general; lacks the sense of disrespect or moral wrongness
用法筆記
Typically used in the passive (be/get violated). Describes both physical spaces (temples, graves, homes) and abstract possessions (dignity, safety, sense of security).