rape 1 of 2

Definition of rapenext
1
as in violation
the act of forcing a person to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse an international law defining rape as a war crime

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2
as in kidnapping
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal the legend of the rape of the Sabine women by the ancient Romans was frequently depicted in classical art

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rape

2 of 2

verb

as in to violate
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent the defendant accused of raping the victim

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rape
Noun
This is the former movie producer's third rape trial in New York after he was tried in 2020 and 2025. Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026 Mann first met Weinstein at an engagement party in February 2013, six weeks before the alleged rape. Karla Cote, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 Adapted from the 2015 documentary of the same name, the play tells the story of Nick Yarris, a man wrongfully accused and convicted of rape and murder before being exonerated by DNA evidence after 22 years in prison. Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026 Opening statements are set for Tuesday in Harvey Weinstein ’s New York rape retrial, offering a new jury its first look at a bellwether #MeToo case that remains unresolved nearly eight years after the former movie tycoon's arrest. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 Other red flags that indicate a partner may kill include unemployment, substance use, problematic drinking, controlling or jealous behavior, abuse during pregnancy, rape and prior threats of suicide or with weapons. Kathryn Spearman, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026 In this case, a 13-year-old Black girl, pregnant due to rape, is taken to a local physician by her school nurse. The Know, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026 Multiple women came forward with detailed and serious allegations—including specific claims of drugging, rape, and assault—relatively quickly after initial reports, suggesting a verifiable pattern rather than mere unsubstantiated rumor. Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 After her Emmy win, LaNasa got another strong showcase for Nurse Dana, with long sequences devoted to her teaching a young new nurse how to care for a rape victim and clean a deceased patient. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
Nearly a month later, not far from Hot Skates and near the Long Island Rail Road tracks, Theresa's body was discovered, beaten, raped and strangled, buried under a pile of leaves and wooden shipping pallets. Mary Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026 She had been raped and strangled. Francie Ebert, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026 Tong referenced an expose on CNN that revealed a network of websites and group chats on platforms like Telegram in which men uploaded videos of drugging and raping their wives and advised others how to do the same. Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026 Bell was raped in Brockton in 1993. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026 The woman, who said Swalwell raped her in a New York City hotel in April 2024, shared her story with CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle earlier this month. Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026 The man then raped her and then moved at her with a sharp object, Cruz said. Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 The 16-year-old boy charged with raping and killing his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a cruise ship in November pleaded not guilty to the crime this week. David Goodhue april 23, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 Weinstein was also convicted of raping an Italian model at a trial in Los Angeles in 2022 and sentenced to 16 years. Karla Cote, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
  • Both Israel and Hezbollah have traded accusations of ceasefire violations, with a Lebanese journalist, Amal Khalil, killed in an Israeli airstrike just yesterday.
    Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Giveaway or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • At the start of the prosecution’s case on April 7, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder in the course of kidnapping.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The 38-year-old Smart, whose harrowing kidnapping story captivated the nation, announced her latest endeavor on Instagram over the weekend with a photo showing off her impressive physique.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • It was eventually reduced to 184 games for violating the league's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • He was also later convicted in federal court of violating Bils’ civil rights.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The assault killed at least seventeen people, including a twelve-year-old boy, wounded dozens, and destroyed buildings.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Allen will be arraigned Monday on charges, including assault of a federal officer and discharging a firearm in an attempt to kill a federal officer.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The alert was inspired by the 1996 abduction and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas.
    Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Fans will have to tune in next week to find out Andrea's fate — and see if her abduction rattles Kayce.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy botched an uncontested breakout pass, and Tage Thompson hounded Fraser Minten to force a turnover.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The resulting uproar forced the resignation of the chief Sinaloa prosecutor.
    Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

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