contravene

Everyday

1. (formal) To break a law, rule or agreement. tree →
2. (formal, rare) To go against or disagree with an idea or statement. tree →

In the lessons

A formal exam and legal word. It appears on notices («Anyone contravening these rules will be asked to leave»), in news about companies breaking laws, and in school policies. It tells the reader that a rule was broken in an official sense. Phrases: «contravene the rules», «contravene the law», «in contravention of» (noun form).

Examples

• Parking on the zigzag lines outside school contravenes the rules. tree →
• The factory contravened safety laws and had to pay a fine. tree →
• Pupils who contravene the phone policy will have phones confiscated. tree →
• The referee said the tackle contravened the rules of the game. tree →
• Feeding the animals contravenes the zoo's rules. tree →
• Building the wall so high contravened the planning law. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: «contravention». Formal; in speech say «break» or «go against». Pattern: «contravene + rule/law» (no preposition).