Synonyms of rape

rape 1 of 2

noun

ˈrāp 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violation
• assault
• sexual assault
• ravishment

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kidnapping
• abduction
• hijacking
• snatch
• seizure
• impressment
• shanghaiing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violate
• assault
• force
• ravish

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rape

Noun

To know that a torture as violent as rape is about to happen ‘upstairs’ and not do ANYTHING ABOUT IT, is sick, cowardly and cold. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Pugh is not the only Hollywood name speaking out about the Cornell rape allegations. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026

Weinstein, who has been in ailing health in recent years, awaits resentencing for his 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Neither Peters’s representative nor his attorney has returned PEOPLE’s multiple requests for comment about the rape charges. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

But a pending resentencing in Los Angeles, where he was originally ordered to serve 16 years in prison for a 2013 rape, could put him away for the rest of his life. — Michael R. Sisak, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026

His previous charges included rape, malicious wounding, assault and theft, DHS said. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

The 74-year-old Weinstein’s latest sentence comes from his conviction for the 2006 rape of Miriam Haley. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

The jury in 2025 acquitted Weinstein of an attack on Polish model Kaja Sokola and was unable to reach a unanimous decision on Mann’s allegations of a 2013 rape inside a Midtown hotel, resulting in a partial mistrial and another retrial this spring. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

An 18-year-old woman was bound and raped by a man inside his Queens apartment more than a year ago, and a suspect has now been arrested, police and law enforcement sources said Friday. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026

Edwards was also convicted of attempting to rape another woman with a razor blade weeks later at her Chico apartment, the newspaper reported. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

In the first assault, Escudero locked a 16-year-old coworker in his car, then strangled, struck and raped her, according to the release. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026

The judge added three years to Weinstein’s sentence for raping Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

The woman came forward in December 2024, in a civil lawsuit filed by Buzbee, accusing Jay-Z and Combs of raping her at a house party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, which were held in New York. — Lauren Wilson, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2026

The woman’s admission that she was never raped by Carter comes after a long-winding legal road in the case. — Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026

Another accuser, Jessica Mann, testified that Weinstein raped her at a New York hotel in 2013. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026

The family of a minor who attended a Nike training camp is suing the company and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) on allegations that she was raped during a weekend camp for elite high school athletes. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026