violate
UK: ˈvaɪəleɪt | US: ˈvaɪəleɪt
vt. to break or fail to comply with a rule, law, or agreement
vt. to treat something sacred with disrespect or violence
vt. to disturb or intrude upon rudely (e.g., privacy)
The word "violate" traces back to Latin violare, which originally meant "to treat with violence" or "to injure." The root vis ("force") reflects the concept of overpowering boundaries, whether physical (e.g., laws) or abstract (e.g., sanctity). Over time, the term expanded to include breaches of rules or moral codes, retaining its core idea of forceful transgression.
The company was fined for violating environmental regulations.
Protesters argued the new law would violate their constitutional rights.
The soldiers were accused of violating the ceasefire agreement.
She felt her privacy had been violated by the intrusive questions.
Ancient tombs must not be violated by treasure hunters.