violate

To violate something or someone means to break the rules or laws that apply to it, often causing harm or damage.

When people talk about violating something, like a rule or a law, they usually mean that someone has done something wrong, like breaking into a house (they're violating the owner's property) or taking someone else's money without permission (they're violating their trust). This can also happen in more serious situations, such as when a country invades another one, which is considered a violation of its sovereignty. Violating someone's rights or dignity is also a very serious thing that people try to avoid doing.