What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
violate
Example
The company violated the environmental regulations by dumping waste into the river. [violate: verb]
Example
It is wrong to violate someone's personal space without their consent. [violating: present participle]
breach
Example
The employee breached the confidentiality agreement by sharing sensitive information with a competitor. [breached: past tense]
Example
The data breach compromised the personal information of millions of customers. [breach: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Violate is more commonly used than breach in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts. However, breach is more commonly used in legal or professional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between violate and breach?
Breach is generally considered more formal than violate, as it is often used in legal or professional contexts. However, both words can be used in formal settings.
