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

The twins also face two pending rape cases in Florida state court. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

During what was one of the most surprising episodes of SVU at the time (the show has come a long way), Cabot was forced to fake her death and go into Witness Protection after attempting to convict a ruthless gang member for rape. — Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2026

He was released from prison in 2025, after serving time for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Other documentaries from Cecilia include Shut Up & Sing (2006) and Brave Miss World (2013), about a survivor of rape who represented her country of Italy in the Miss World competition six weeks after the incident. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026

The student accused of rape could not be reached for comment, but Alpha Delta Phi said he has been suspended from the fraternity, according to Steve Ehrfurth, executive director of the national organization. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

The woman accusing Peters of rape in this latest case also filed a civil lawsuit against him in April in Florida. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

While Off Campus is set in college, the book series still deals with heavier topics as well, like Hannah’s rape and Garrett’s father’s abuse in Season 1. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

This is a woman who survived childhood trauma, raped repeatedly by her stepfather. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Attorneys for the Alexanders are seeking the lowest possible sentence of 15 years and deny the men ever drugged or raped any women. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

In 1980, Cheek was convicted of raping a young woman at gunpoint. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

More than 230 people were kidnapped and more than 1,000 females were raped. — Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

On the ninth day of Brand’s trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court, witnesses gave evidence in support of Complainant 5 (C5), who alleges that she was raped by the Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor after meeting him at a comedy gig in 2009. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Acton has said that her stepfather repeatedly raped her as a pre-teenage girl and that her family lived in a tent at the time she was removed from their care. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Her mother lost custody of Acton and her brother after her husband — the children’s stepfather — was indicted on a charge of raping Acton. — Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Her mother lost custody of Acton and her brother after her husband — the children’s stepfather — was indicted for raping Acton. — Julie Carr Smyth, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026