Meaning & use
in violation
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformallegal
Acting against or breaking a law, rule, or agreement.
Grammar: Usually followed by 'of' plus the law, rule, or agreement: in violation of the contract.
Patterns
- in violation of something
- be in violation
- act in violation of something
The company was found in violation of safety regulations.
He was arrested for driving in violation of the traffic laws.
Their actions were in violation of the treaty.
Common combinations
- in violation of the law
- The protest was peaceful, but it was still in violation of the law.
- in violation of the rules
- Using a phone during the exam is in violation of the rules.
- in violation of the contract
- The builder was in violation of the contract by finishing late.
- found in violation
- The restaurant was found in violation after a health inspection.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in breach of
- Similar legal meaning; often used for contracts and agreements.
- against
- Less formal; 'against the law' is more common in everyday speech.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: in violation or inviolate?
in violation vs inviolate
Means 'never broken or harmed'; it is an adjective, not a phrase.
Practice
The company was accused of acting ______ of environmental regulations.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'in violation of'. Other prepositions like 'on', 'at', or 'by' do not combine with 'violation' in this expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “in violation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.