What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
violated
Example
The company violated environmental regulations by dumping waste in the river. [violated: verb]
Example
Her privacy was violated when her personal information was leaked online. [violated: adjective]
disobey
Example
The child disobeyed his parents and stayed out past curfew. [disobeyed: verb]
Example
It is illegal to disobey a police officer's orders. [disobey: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disobey is more commonly used than violated in everyday language. Disobey is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while violated is less common and refers to more formal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between violated and disobey?
Violated is typically associated with a formal tone, while disobey is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
