contravenecon‧tra‧vene /ˌkɒntrəˈviːn $ ˌkɑːn-/ verb [transitive] formal 
Word Origin Examples
Some portions of the bill may contravene state law.► see thesaurus at disobey
Word OriginWORD ORIGINcontravene
Verb TableOrigin:
1500-1600 French contrevenir, from Late Latin contravenire, from Latin contra- ( ➔ CONTRA-) + venire ‘to come’VERB TABLE
contravene
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | contravene |
| he, she, it | contravenes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | contravened |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have contravened |
| he, she, it | has contravened | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had contravened |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will contravene |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have contravened |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am contravening |
| he, she, it | is contravening | |
| you, we, they | are contravening | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was contravening |
| you, we, they | were contravening | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been contravening |
| he, she, it | has been contravening | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been contravening |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be contravening |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been contravening |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Any interference in one country's domestic affairs by another country contravenes the UN charter.
- Critics said the ban on reporting contravened the public's democratic right to be informed.
- If a licence holder contravenes any of these conditions, their licence will be withdrawn.
- Penalties for contravening the laws on food hygiene have been increased.
- The sale of untreated milk may contravene public health regulations.
- A fifth of Britain's sewage works contravene state standards on effluents because the owners refuse to invest in them.
- In the present case it is alleged that Pantell S.A. has contravened sections 47, 56 and 57.
- S 92 deals with the consequences of contravening the pre-emption rights the Act confers.
- The Consumer Credit Association expelled six companies for contravening their rules.
THESAURUS► disobey
Collocations to not obey a person, order, rule, or law: · In the army, it is a crime to disobey a superior officer.· He had disobeyed the school rules.
► break a law/rule to not obey a law or rule: · Anyone who breaks the law must expect to be punished.
► defy formal to deliberately refuse to obey a rule or law, or what someone in authority tells you to do: · The police arrested the youth for defying a court order.
► flout formal to deliberately disobey a rule or law in a very public way: · Timber companies are continuing to flout environmental laws.
► violate formal to disobey a law, or do something that is against an agreement or principle: · Both countries have accused each other of violating the treaty.· Technically he had violated the law.
► contravene formal to be against a law, rule, or agreement, or to do something that is against a law, rule, or agreement: · The British government’s actions contravened the European Convention on Human Rights.
Longman Language Activatorto not obey a rule or law► disobey to not obey a law or rule: · Protesters disobeyed the law and blocked the city's main roads.· Troops openly disobeyed orders, refusing to use force against their own people.
► break a rule/law to not do what a rule or law says you must do: · Students who break the rules and smoke in school will be suspended.· I do not want my sons' TV role models to be tough, cool guys, who break laws and kill people. break the law: · If you fail to buy a ticket before you get on the train, you are breaking the law.
► violate formal to disobey or do something that is against a rule, agreement, principle etc: · This action violated the constitution and the Civil Rights Act.· Police have arrested twenty people, accused of violating a ban on demonstrations.
► disregard also ignore to pay no attention to a law, rule, or to what someone has told you to do, and behave as if it does not affect you. Disregard is more formal than ignore: · Many cyclists ignore the law and ride around at night without lights.· I tell her to come home by 10 o'clock, but she just ignores me.· Marlow sometimes disregards the law, but his aim is always justice.· By disregarding speed limits and passing red lights, we somehow got to the airport in time.
► contravene formal to break a particular written law, rule, or agreement: · The sale of untreated milk may contravene public health regulations.· If a licence holder contravenes any of these conditions, their licence will be withdrawn.
► flout: flout a rule/law etc to deliberately break a law or a rule, especially because you think it is unnecessary or stupid: · Many bar owners flout the laws on under-age drinking.· Thousands of people are killed on our roads every year, yet a majority of us insist on flouting speed limits.
to do something that is illegal► break the law · If you break the law, you must expect to be punished.· You're breaking the law if you drive without wearing a seat belt.· In many cases, people who have been released from prison will break the law again.
► commit: commit a crime/an offence/burglary/murder etc to do something that is a crime, or that is a particular type of crime: · Detectives believe that the crime was committed at around 7.30 pm.· Most violent crimes are committed by young men under the age of 25.· She later claimed that she did not realize she was committing an offense.
► contravene if something a company or government does contravenes a particular law, it breaks that law, especially unintentionally - used especially in legal or official contexts: · Penalties for contravening the laws on food hygiene have been increased.· Any interference in one country's domestic affairs by another country contravenes the UN charter.
► break the rules to do something that is not allowed by the rules of an organization, game etc: · Any student caught breaking the school rules was immediately sent to the Principal.break the rules on: · Athletes can be fined thousands of dollars for breaking the rules on steroid use.
► infringe to break a law, especially one that protects someone's rights: · If a teacher makes copies of software for students, he or she is infringing copyright.· Arrangements for widow's pensions infringed laws on equal pay and treatment.
WORD SETS► Lawaccess, nounacquit, verbacquittal, nounactionable, adjectiveact of God, nounadjourn, verbadminister, verbadmissible, adjectiveADR, nounadversarial, adjectiveadvocate, nounaffidavit, nounage, nounaggrieved, adjectiveagreement, nounannual return, anti-dumping, adjectiveantitrust, adjectiveAppeal Court, nounappear, verbappellate court, nounarraign, verbarticled clerk, articles of association, nounassignee, nounassizes, nounattachment, nounattest, verbattorney, nounattorney-at-law, nounattorney general, nounaverage clause, bailable, adjectivebailee, nounbailiff, nounbailment, nounban, nounbarrister, nounbeneficial owner, beneficiary, nounbequeath, verbbequest, nounbest efforts, adjectivebid-rigging, nounbill, nounbill of rights, nounblue law, nounbody corporate, bond, nounbook, verbbox, nounbreakdown clause, break fee, brief, nounbroker's lien, burden of proof, nounbusiness entity, buyer's risk, bylaw, nouncabotage, nouncadastre, nouncase, nouncase law, nouncash shell, nouncause, nouncause célèbre, nouncause of action, nouncaution, nouncaution, verbcertificate of incorporation, nouncertificate of protest, nouncertificate of search, nounchain of title, nounchallenge, nounchallenge, verbchancery, nounChapter 7, nouncharge, nouncharge, verbcharges register, chief justice, nouncircuit court, nouncite, verbcitizen's arrest, nouncivil, adjectivecivil law, nounclaim, nounclaimant, nounclass action, nounclause, nounclean, adjectivecloud on title, nouncollusion, nouncommerce clause, committal, nouncommon law, nouncommunity property, nounCommunity Reinvestment Act, nouncommutation, nounCompanies House, nouncompanies registry, company limited by guarantee, nouncompany limited by shares, nouncompany officer, competence, nouncompetent, adjectivecomplainant, nouncompletion, nouncompletion date, compliance officer, compulsory purchase, nounconditional discharge, nouncondition precedent, nouncondition subsequent, nounconduct money, confidentiality clause, confirmation hearing, conflict of laws, nounconjugal, adjectiveconsensus ad idem, nounconsent decree, consenting adult, nounconservator, nounconstituted, adjectiveconstitution, nounconstitutional, adjectiveconstitutionality, nouncontempt, nouncontest, verbcontingency fee, contract of insurance, nouncontract of purchase, nouncontract of service, nouncontravene, verbcontravention, nouncontributory negligence, nounconvey, verbconveyance, nounconveyancing, nounconvict, verbconviction, nouncopyright, nounco-respondent, nouncosignatory, nouncounsel, nouncounty court, nouncourthouse, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbCourt of Appeal, nounCourt of Appeals, nouncourt of inquiry, nouncourt of law, nounCourt of Queen's Bench, nouncourt order, nouncourt reporter, nouncourtroom, nouncramdown, nouncriminal, adjectivecriminal injury, criminalize, verbcriminal law, nouncross-examine, verbCrown Court, nouncurfew, nouncustodial, adjectiveD.A., noundata protection, death sentence, noundeath warrant, noundeclaration of association, noundecree, noundecree absolute, noundecree nisi, noundecriminalize, verbdeed, noundeed of conveyance, noundefalcation, noundefend, verbdefendant, noundeficiency judgment, noundeficiency judgment, de jure, adjectivedeposition, noundeputy, nounderivative lease, desertion, noundiminished responsibility, noundiplomatic immunity, noundirectors register, disabled quota, disbar, verbdischarge of contract, noundisclaim, verbdisclaimer, noundiscretionary, adjectivedisinherit, verbdismiss, verbdispense, verbdisposition, noundispossess, verbdissent, noundissolution, noundistrain, verbdistrict attorney, noundistrict court, noundivorce, noundivorce, verbdivorced, adjectivedocket, noundonee, noundouble jeopardy, noundraftsman, noundrink-driving, noundrunk driving, noundue process, nounduress, nouneasement, nounedict, nouneffective, adjectiveeminent domain, nounempower, verbenabling, adjectiveenabling clause, enact, verbendowment, nounenforced, adjectiveenjoin, verbescape clause, escrow, nounescrow agent, estate, nounestoppel, nounevidence, nounexamination, nounexamination-in-chief, nounexamine, verbexculpate, verbexecute, verbexecutor, nounexecutrix, nounexhibit, nounexpectations, nounex post facto law, nounexpropriate, verbextradite, verbextrajudicial, adjectivefair dealing, false representation, nounfee absolute, nounfiduciary, nounfiduciary, adjectivefinding, nounfirm name, nounfixtures and fittings, nounforce majeure, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfreeholder, nounfree pardon, nounfrustration of contract, fugitive, nounfugitive, adjectivegagging order, gag order, noungarnishee, verbgarnishee, noungeneral counsel, noungeneral practice, noungive, verbgrand jury, noungrantee, noungrantor, noungreen paper, noungross misconduct, ground rent, nounguarantee, verbguarantor, nounguaranty, nounguillotine, verbguilt, noungun control, nounhabeas corpus, nounHague Rules, nounhear, verbhearing, nounheir, nounheir apparent, nounhereafter, adverbhereditament, nounhereinafter, adverbhereof, adverbhereto, adverbheritable, adjectiveHigh Court, nounHighway Code, nounhirer, nounhuman right, nounimplied term, inadmissible, adjectiveinalienable, adjectiveincriminate, verbindemnify, verbindemnity, nounindict, verbindictable, adjectiveindictment, nounindustrial tribunal, nouninitiative, nouninjunction, nounin loco parentis, adverbinnocence, nouninnocent, adjectiveinoperative, adjectiveinquest, nouninsanity, nouninstruct, verbintellectual property, nounintent, nouninterdict, nouninterlocutory injunction, invoke, verbJane Doe, nounjob quota, joint and several liability, JP, nounjudge, nounjudge, verbjudicial, adjectivejuridical, adjectivejurisdiction, nounjurisprudence, nounjurist, nounjuror, nounjury, nounjury box, nounjury service, nounjustice, nounJustice of the Peace, nounjustifiable homicide, nounjuvenile, adjectivekangaroo court, nounKing's Counsel, nounlaw firm, nounlawyer, nounlease, nounleasehold, adjectiveleaseholder, nounlegatee, nounlegator, nounlessee, nounlessor, nounletters of administration, nounliable, adjectivelicensee, nounlien, nounlienee, nounlienor, nounlimited liability, nounliquidated damages, litigant, nounlitigate, verblitigation, nounlitigator, nounlitigious, adjectiveliving will, nounloophole, nounmagisterial, adjectivemagistracy, nounmagistrate, nounMagistrates' Court, nounmaintenance, nounmajority, nounmalfeasance, nounmalpractice, nounmarriage certificate, nounmarriage licence, nounmarriage lines, nounmaterial, adjectivematerial fact, nounmemorandum, nounmiscarriage of justice, nounmisdirect, verbmisfeasance, nounmisstatement, nounmistrial, nounM'lord, nounM'lud, nounmoiety, nounmonies, nounmoot court, nounmoratorium, nounmovable, nounno-fault, adjectivenolo contendere, nounnonfeasance, nounnon-negotiable, adjectivenotary, nounnuisance, nounnullify, verbnullity, nounoath, nounopen-and-shut case, nounopen verdict, nounoperative mistake, nounordinance, nounoriginating application, originating summons, outlaw, nounout-of-court settlement, nounoyez, interjectionpalimony, nounpanel, nounparalegal, nounpardon, verbpardon, nounparty, nounpass, verbpassage, nounpatent, nounpatent, adjectivepaternity, nounpaternity suit, nounpatrimony, nounpenal code, nounpenalty, nounperformance contract, perjury, nounpersonal injury, personal representative, personalty, nounpetition, nounpetition, verbpetitioner, nounplaintiff, nounplanning permission, nounplea bargaining, nounpleadings, nounpledgee, nounpolice, verbpositive discrimination, nounpower of attorney, nounprecedent, nounprejudice, verbpreservation order, nounpresume, verbprice-fixing, nounprima facie, adjectiveprimary residence, prime tenant, primogeniture, nounprivate law, nounprivileged, adjectiveprivity, nounprobate, nounprobate, verbprobation, nounprobationer, nounprobation officer, nounpro bono, adjectiveprocedural, adjectiveproceeding, nounproceedings, nounprohibit, verbprohibition, nounprohibitive, adjectivepromulgate, verbpronounce, verbproposition, nounproscribe, verbprosecute, verbprosecution, nounprosecutor, nounprotective custody, nounprove, verbprovision, nounprovisional licence, nounproximate cause, nounpublic defender, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic service vehicle, punishable, adjectiveQC, nounquarter sessions, nounquash, verbQueen's Counsel, nounreal property, nounrecess, nounrecess, verbrecognition, nounrecognizance, nounrecorder, nounreeve, nounregulation, nounremand, verbremand, nounrepeal, verbrescind, verbrespondent, nounrestoration, nounrestore, verbretainer, nounretrial, nounretroactive, adjectiveretrospective, adjectiveretry, verbreversion, nounrevocation, nounrevoke, verbRex, nounright of appeal, nounroad tax, nounroot of title, royalty payment, rule, verbruling, nounsaid, adjectivesalami slicing, nounSarbanes-Oxley Act, nounscheme of arrangement, nounsentence, nounsentence, verbsequester, verbsession, nounsettlement date, settlement terms, shall, modal verbshell company, sheriff, nounsheriff court, nounshow trial, nounsitting tenant, nounsmall claims court, nounsolicitor, nounsolicitor general, nounSOX, nounspecial licence, nounspecific performance, speed limit, nounstakeholder, nounstate attorney, nounstate court, nounstated case, statute, nounstatute law, nounstatute of limitations, nounstatutory, adjectivestatutory report, stay, nounstay of execution, nounstipendiary magistrate, nounstoppage in transit, nounsub judice, adverbsubmission, nounsuborn, verbsubpoena, nounsubpoena, verbsue, verbsuit, nounsumming up, nounsumming-up, nounsummons, nounsummons, verbSupreme Court, nounsurety, nounsuspended sentence, nounswear, verbtechnicality, nountenant at sufferance, nountenant at will, nountenant for years, nountenant in common, nountenure, nountestament, nountestator, nountest case, nountest certificate, nountestify, verbtestimony, nounthereinafter, adverbthird party, nounthrough, prepositionticket, nounticket, verbtitle, nountitle deed, nountitle holder, nountort, nountradename, nounTrading Standards, treasure trove, nountrespass, verbtrespass, nountrial, nountrust for sale, nounultra vires, adjectiveunderwriting power, undue influence, noununlicensed, adjectiveuphold, verbverdict, nounvindicate, verbvisa, nounvoucher, nounward, nounwarrant, nounwhereas, conjunctionwill, nounwill, verbwinding up, nounwitness, nounwitness, verbwitness box, nounwrit, nounwrongful termination,
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► breach/violate/contravene a code
to do something that is not allowed according to a law or rule SYN violate: formal (=break one)· Any companies breaching the code will be expelled from the Association.
Some portions of the bill may contravene state law.► see thesaurus at disobey