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

Or, more precisely, who exactly benefits from seeing the fictional depiction of a rape? — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Director White, in trying to show there is a broad range to the definition of rape, has presented this one not as black and white but with shades of gray. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026

Erivo delivers a monologue, as Tessa makes the point that expecting logic and consistency from rape victims runs counter to their experience. — Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2026

Court records show prosecutors charged the man, Matthew James Galveston Lawrence, of Lawrence, with one count of rape in Douglas County District Court on Thursday. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

The brothers previously faced rape and human trafficking charges in Britain in connection to three alleged victims, CPS said. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

The additional charges filed against Andrew Tate last month include seven counts of rape, 15 counts of making/distributing indecent images of children and four counts of possession of extreme pornography. — Juliette Arcodia, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026

The former kickboxers, who have dual US and British citizenship, were arrested in late July in Miami and have remained there while a judge decides on the request for their extradition to Britain to face rape charges. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Mette-Marit’s 29-year-old son, Marius Borg Høiby, was also permitted to attend the funeral with the royal family, despite currently being on house arrest after being found guilty of two counts of rape in June. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

In one case, documented as PF006, the report noted that the victim, who had an intellectual disability, was detained by the Taliban in her garden and taken to a security checkpoint where she was raped. — Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026

Though the events at Bucha, where over 400 civilians were murdered, some after being tortured and raped, fall within the timeframe covered by most of the books discussed here, only Harding deals with them in any depth. — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

The driver strangled and raped the woman after the ride began, the lawsuit said. — Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026

What will Alice do with the footage of herself being raped found on Easton’s computer? — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

At the time, Laura’s father had not been told his daughter was allegedly raped and killed by Hedrick. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Thomas Frey/picture alliance via Getty Images His DNA had been on file since his conviction in 1999 of attempting to rape a 16-year-old girl. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

After Madeline’s birthday, Jane is forced to have a difficult conversation with Ziggy after Amabella, Renata’s daughter, tells her that Perry raped Jane. — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

According to a detective’s testimony at a preliminary hearing, Thomas raped a 15-year-old girl while forcing her to insult Blythe Street. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026