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

Last week, six women filed civil complaints against Marie, the former head of Elite Model Management’s Paris office, alleging rape and human trafficking at the Paris Judicial Court. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 22 July 2026

What remains is a far more interesting addition to the rape-revenge tradition, albeit one that may frustrate viewers expecting more conventional genre thrills from a Fantasia premiere. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

That July, police arrested Michelle on felony counts of stalking and attempted rape, among other charges. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 22 July 2026

According ​to French media, at least five women accused Siad, 69, of rape and human trafficking, allegations ⁠Siad denied. — Reuters, NBC news, 22 July 2026

Siad had denied wrongdoing in connection to his work with Epstein and disputed allegations of rape leveled against him. — Aicha El Hammar Castano, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Fischer, who had been accused of raping a woman on a yacht called Lion King in 2003, fled during his May 2005 rape trial. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

In June, Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape, among other offenses. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Online influencers Andrew Tate and Tristan Tateremain in custody in Miami pending extradition to Britain on rape and human trafficking charges. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Verb

But our excitement fades as Nolan’s camera captures the men raping women, looting houses and reveling in the violence. — Brent Lang, Variety, 21 July 2026

Fischer was accused of raping a woman during a date on his yacht, Lion King. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

But Nolan also throws a meditative new wrinkle into the story, as Odysseus comes to grips with his role in the Trojan War, leading the charge as his men raped, murdered and pillaged in his name. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 July 2026

The original case dates back to the early hours of May 8, 1981, when Sebold, then a Syracuse University freshman, was brutally raped in a park near campus. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026

Gérald Marie potentially raped dozens of young women between the 1980s and the 2000s, acting with a sense of total impunity and within an utterly intolerable culture of rape. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

Patty was never seen again because, prosecutors say, Sochor raped and killed her at the side of a deserted road. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Investigators say Carpenter’s Filipino companion was raped in the attack. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

The sheriff said Lawhead was sentenced to spend 19 years in prison for brutally attacking a 71-year-old grandmother and raping her 11-year-old granddaughter in 1980 in Sacramento County. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026