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
The judge declared a mistrial on the third count of third-degree rape, after one juror refused to continue deliberations. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 His first New York trial, in 2020, ended in conviction on charges including rape in the third degree, with a sentence of 23 years in prison. Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026 Group chat logs obtained by the Miami New Times in 2018 showed TPUSA chapter members joking about rape. Claire Heddles, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026 Baltazar, meanwhile, was linked through a DNA hit after the girl underwent a rape test exam. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026 Weinstein will again be in court on April 14, when he will be retried for rape. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2026 During a five-week trial, prosecutors said the Alexander brothers worked together to drug and rape scores of women, including minors, from at least 2008 to 2021. Peter Weber, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026 Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026 And now that their federal trial is over, Alon and Oren will also have to face three state rape charges in Miami, including one that stems from an alleged assault at Alon’s Miami Beach condo on New Year’s Eve in 2016. Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
The panel watched footage of an unconscious 17-year-old girl being raped by Oren Alexander, which the public was not permitted to see. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026 More than 60 women say they were raped by one or more of the brothers, according to prosecutors. Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026 Over the years, those proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, the Houthis and more have murdered, raped, tortured and kidnapped thousands. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026 Sgualdo’s feature debut tells the story of 15-year-old Emma, who’s impregnated after being raped. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 8 Mar. 2026 Paul Preece, the Season 1 winner of Netflix‘s Outlast, has been arrested for allegedly raping a child. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026 Agnifilo and Paul both attacked the prosecution's efforts to tie the brothers to a blog that the government said encouraged drugging women and raping them. ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026 Caroline accuses her father of drugging and raping her too, a claim that has been eating away at the family since the photos were found over five years ago. Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026 Other incidents included Jalloh allegedly choking a woman, stomping on her, burning her chest and raping her in October 2018, stabbing a person inside a McDonald's in January 2023, and stabbing an elderly man in February 2023. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
  • Peters was found guilty of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with the requirements of the secretary of state.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Passengers who get banned from travel or booted off the plane for this violation may be eligible for a refund upon request, United adds.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Armond Langford, 32, is facing multiple charges including robbery, kidnapping, assault, wanton endangerment, fleeing/evading police, burglary and persistent felony offender.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Bivolaru, 73, was arrested in Paris in 2023 and now faces charges in France, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and rape.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In February, for instance, the Department of Justice joined a lawsuit brought by the 1776 Project Foundation, alleging that the Los Angeles Unified School District had violated the law by conditioning funding on the basis of student race.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Indiana has been at the center of the tanking discussion in the NBA after being fined $100,000 for violating the league’s player participation policy.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The assault took place both and off campus and during and after school hours, according to the news release.
    Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The biggest lead so far has been Nest camera video showing a masked intruder on Guthrie’s doorstep the morning of her abduction.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
  • And who would be harshing this hooligan’s buzz with a case of reform-minded abduction?
    Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) celebrates with defenseman Sam Rinzel (6) and center Ryan Donato (8) after scoring a goal to force overtime late in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Dallas.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Jaxson Hayes and Marcus Smart helped spearhead a strong defensive effort that held New York to less than 100 points and forced eight key turnovers late in the game.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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