verb

flout

FLOUT/flaʊt/

To openly disregard a rule, law, or authority.

The man flouts the smoking ban, shrugging at the attendant beside the sign.

A man openly smokes directly beside a clear no-smoking pictogram while an attendant points to it; he meets her gaze and dismissively shrugs without putting out his cigarette.

Etymology

Flout has an uncertain origin, perhaps connected with Middle English flowten, “to play the flute.” Its established sense “treat with contempt” explains how flouting a rule means openly disregarding its authority.

In context

The Scottish Parliament133:32

scottish ministers have already clarified the law to make it crystal clear what is allowed and it's unacceptable for a letting agent to flout the law and charging of premiums

Afternoon Plenary: Part 1 - Scottish Parliament: 25th June 2014

More examples

The mayor flouts a court order by refusing to release the records.
The restaurant repeatedly flouted basic health regulations.
The company keeps dumping waste, flouting environmental laws.

Forms

flout · flouts · flouted · flouting

Similar words

defy: Emphasizes bold resistance to authority rather than contemptuous disregard.
disregard: Means ignoring something, not necessarily openly or with contempt.
violate: Emphasizes breaking a rule, regardless of attitude or openness.