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

Instagram direct messages to a University of Miami football player that included rape imagery, violent slavery imagery, three uses of the N-word and two uses of a homophobic slur are under investigation by the Florida Bar. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

This means that the larger social dynamics created by rape—even the prospect of rape—in small, intimate communities go unconsidered. — B. D. McClay, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Shea’s tampering was first revealed publicly during a 2024 trial for a 2010 murder and rape, when public defender Michael Kabakoff asked a testifying DNA expert about the issues. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026

On day four of Brand’s rape trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court, the jury was shown a video of a 2023 police interview with an alleged victim. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

He was convicted in June of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 indecent assault charges involving two girls between 1985 and 2008. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Officials noted that while domestic violence homicides and incident reports have decreased compared with last year, arrests, rape cases, assaults and major felony complaints have increased. — Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

The passage concerned the confession of the nun whose rape the detective investigates. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

The organization is lobbying the State for funding in order to maintain services for rape and Sexual Assult victums. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 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