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violation

/ˈvaɪəˌleɪʃən/

/vaɪəˈleɪʃən/

Other forms: violations

Anytime a person crosses a boundary — a legal boundary, a moral boundary, a physical boundary, or a binding business deal — that's a violation. When a burglar picks the lock on your door, that's a violation of your property.

A violation can be a disrespectful act or the crossing of someone’s physical boundaries. When you're forced to shake hands with your boss's wife, the way her perfume stings your eyes might feel like a violation. Violation is often used to describe an action that disregards an agreement or a basic right, such as a violation of a global climate treaty or a human rights violation.

Definitions of violation
  1. noun
    an act that disregards an agreement or a right
    “he claimed a violation of his rights under the Fifth Amendment”
    synonyms: infringement
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    types:
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    copyright infringement, infringement of copyright
    a violation of the rights secured by a copyright
    foul
    an act that violates the rules of a sport
    patent infringement
    violation of the rights secured by a patent
    foul ball
    (baseball) a ball struck with the bat so that it does not stay between the lines (the foul lines) that define the width of the playing field
    piracy, plagiarisation, plagiarism, plagiarization
    the act of plagiarizing; taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own
    personal foul
    a foul that involves unnecessarily rough contact (as in basketball or football)
    technical, technical foul
    (basketball) a foul that can be assessed on a player or a coach or a team for unsportsmanlike conduct; does not usually involve physical contact during play
    type of:
    actus reus, misconduct, wrongdoing, wrongful conduct
    activity that transgresses moral or civil law
  2. noun
    entry to another's property without right or permission
    synonyms: encroachment, intrusion, trespass, usurpation
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    types:
    inroad
    an encroachment or intrusion
    type of:
    actus reus, misconduct, wrongdoing, wrongful conduct
    activity that transgresses moral or civil law
  3. noun
    the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
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    types:
    date rape
    rape in which the rapist is known to the victim (as when they are on a date together)
    carnal abuse, statutory rape
    sexual intercourse with a person (girl or boy) who has not reached the age of consent (even if both parties participate willingly)
    type of:
    sex crime, sex offense, sexual abuse, sexual assault
    a statutory offense that provides that it is a crime to knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act by force or threat
  4. noun
    a disrespectful act
    synonyms: irreverence
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    types:
    blasphemy, desecration, profanation, sacrilege
    blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character
    type of:
    evil, immorality, iniquity, wickedness
    morally objectionable behavior
  5. noun
    a crime less serious than a felony
    synonyms: infraction, infringement, misdemeanor, misdemeanour
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    types:
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    breach of the peace, disorderly behavior, disorderly conduct, disturbance of the peace
    any act of molesting, interrupting, hindering, agitating, or arousing from a state of repose or otherwise depriving inhabitants of the peace and quiet to which they are entitled
    false pretence, false pretense
    (law) an offense involving intent to defraud and false representation and obtaining property as a result of that misrepresentation
    indecent exposure, public nudity
    vulgar and offensive nakedness in a public place
    bearing false witness, lying under oath, perjury
    criminal offense of making false statements under oath
    sedition
    an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government
    type of:
    crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offence, offense
    (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
Pronunciation
US

/ˈvaɪəˌleɪʃən/

UK

/vaɪəˈleɪʃən/

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