rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycontraveneGo against a rule
verb

contravene

kon-truh-VEEN/ˌkɑːntrəˈviːn/

To violate or conflict with a rule or law.

The person contravenes the posted restriction by stepping beyond the barrier.

Person steps beyond a clear barrier with crossed-out pedestrian pictogram, visually violates rule, no words.
Etymology
contraLatinagainst
+veneLatinto come

Literally “to come against,” contravene turns opposition into a legal relationship: an action comes into conflict with a rule. The ancestor already developed the sense “to transgress or break a law.”

In context

Oculus Imperia8:20
to disobey the lex is not only to disobey the law of the government it is to contravene the immaculate order of divinity itself
The Hexarchy Crisis: High Lords vs The Primarch (Warhammer 40K Lore)

More examples

  • Dumping paint down the drain contravenes local environmental regulations.
  • The landlord contravened the court order by changing the locks.
  • The proposed fees would contravene the city's rules on public access.

Forms

contravene · contravenes · contravened · contravening

contravention noun — An act that violates a rule.

Similar words

violate
Directly breaks a rule, rather than merely conflicting with it.
flout
Openly disregards a rule, often showing contempt for it.