From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcontravenecon‧tra‧vene /ˌkɒntrəˈviːn $ ˌkɑːn-/ verb [transitive] formal SCLDISOBEYto do something that is not allowed according to a law or rule SYN violate Some portions of the bill may contravene state law.► see thesaurus at disobey→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
contravene• If a licence holder contravenes any of these conditions, their licence will be withdrawn.• The sale of untreated milk may contravene public health regulations.• In the present case it is alleged that Pantell S.A. has contravened sections 47,56 and 57.• A fifth of Britain's sewage works contravene state standards on effluents because the owners refuse to invest in them.• Penalties for contravening the laws on food hygiene have been increased.• S 92 deals with the consequences of contravening the pre-emption rights the Act confers.• Critics said the ban on reporting contravened the public's democratic right to be informed.• Any interference in one country's domestic affairs by another country contravenes the UN charter.• The Consumer Credit Association expelled six companies for contravening their rules.Origin contravene (1500-1600) French contrevenir, from Late Latin contravenire, from Latin contra- ( → CONTRA-) + venire “to come” 