violate, deter, prove, sentence, enforce: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 11. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. violate · verb/ˈvaɪəˌleɪt/

   to fail to follow a rule or the law; break a rule

   Making these changes would violate students' rights to equal access to quality education.

   Synonyms: disobey, disregard

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin violat- ‘treated violently’, from the verb violare

2. deter · verb/dəˈtər/

   to discourage someone from doing something

   In many parts of the world, speed limits are in place to try to deter people from driving dangerously fast.

   Synonyms: avert, hinder, impede

   Origin: mid 16th century: from Latin deterrere, from de- ‘away from’ + terrere ‘frighten’

3. prove · verb/pruv/

   to show the reality or truth of something

   In prison, he spent three years waiting for the day he would have the chance to prove his innocence.

   Synonyms: justify, validate, confirm

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French prover, from Latin probare ‘test, approve, demonstrate’, from probus ‘good’

4. sentence · verb/ˈsɛntns/

   to make a judicial decision to punish someone

   The judge decided to sentence the defendant to five years in prison for the crime.

   Synonyms: convict, penalize

   Origin: Middle English (in the senses ‘way of thinking, opinion’, ‘court's declaration of punishment’, and ‘gist (of a piece of writing’)): via Old French from Latin sententia ‘opinion’, from sentire ‘feel, be of the opinion’

5. enforce · verb/ɪnˈfɔrs/

   to make people obey a law, rule, or regulation

   The police department is determined to enforce strict traffic laws to reduce accidents.

   Synonyms: impose, implement, apply, administer

   Origin: Middle English (in the senses ‘strive’ and ‘impel by force’; formerly also as inforce): from Old French enforcir, enforcier, based on Latin in- ‘in’ + fortis ‘strong’