violable

Violable is an adjective used to describe something that is capable of being violated, breached, or infringed. In ordinary usage, a rule, right, or norm described as violable can be set aside or violated under certain conditions, whereas something inviolable is protected from violation.

Etymology: the term derives from Latin violabilis, meaning "able to be violated," from violare, "to violate." The English suffix -able marks capability or susceptibility.

Contexts and usage: In law, many contractual provisions, privacy expectations, or ethical norms are described as violable because they can be overridden with consent, legal authority, or breach. In human rights discourse, some rights are termed violable or derogable in emergencies, while others are considered inviolable or non-derogable, meaning they cannot be lawfully suspended or diminished.

Examples: A contractual covenant is violable if the contract is breached or if consent dissolves the agreement. The expectation of confidentiality is violable if there is consent or a lawful obligation to disclose. An oath or pledge may be violable if it is broken, though many ethical frameworks emphasize the inviolability of core commitments.

See also: inviolable, non-derogable rights, consent, contract.