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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

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

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
This is the former movie producer's third rape trial in New York after he was tried in 2020 and 2025. Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026 Mann first met Weinstein at an engagement party in February 2013, six weeks before the alleged rape. Karla Cote, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 Adapted from the 2015 documentary of the same name, the play tells the story of Nick Yarris, a man wrongfully accused and convicted of rape and murder before being exonerated by DNA evidence after 22 years in prison. Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026 Opening statements are set for Tuesday in Harvey Weinstein ’s New York rape retrial, offering a new jury its first look at a bellwether #MeToo case that remains unresolved nearly eight years after the former movie tycoon's arrest. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 Other red flags that indicate a partner may kill include unemployment, substance use, problematic drinking, controlling or jealous behavior, abuse during pregnancy, rape and prior threats of suicide or with weapons. Kathryn Spearman, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026 In this case, a 13-year-old Black girl, pregnant due to rape, is taken to a local physician by her school nurse. The Know, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026 Multiple women came forward with detailed and serious allegations—including specific claims of drugging, rape, and assault—relatively quickly after initial reports, suggesting a verifiable pattern rather than mere unsubstantiated rumor. Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 After her Emmy win, LaNasa got another strong showcase for Nurse Dana, with long sequences devoted to her teaching a young new nurse how to care for a rape victim and clean a deceased patient. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
In 1992, a former referee named Rita Chatterton said that Vince had forced her to perform oral sex in a limousine and then raped her. Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Throughout the years, Gaff reportedly confessed to attempting to attack up to 30 women and girls in one day in the 1980s and admitted to raping at least eight of them. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 The man said he was raped at the age of 9 by Father Patrick O’Sullivan in his family home in 1968. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2026 Thelma & Louise follows two best friends — Thelma, played by Davis, and Louise, portrayed by Sarandon — after Louise kills a man attempting to rape Thelma at a bar. Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026 Her husband came home to find that she had been tied up with electrical cord, raped and strangled. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026 As of late 2023, the Israeli police had collected over 1,500 testimonies and 60,000 video clips, including accounts from witnesses who reported seeing women raped. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2026 Dolores Huerta, 95, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chavez, told the newspaper she was raped and impregnated twice by Chavez. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026 He and Alon have also been charged with raping a woman at a New Year’s Eve Party at Alon’s condo in Miami Beach in 2016. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
  • Both Israel and Hezbollah have traded accusations of ceasefire violations, with a Lebanese journalist, Amal Khalil, killed in an Israeli airstrike just yesterday.
    Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Giveaway or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • At the start of the prosecution’s case on April 7, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder in the course of kidnapping.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The 38-year-old Smart, whose harrowing kidnapping story captivated the nation, announced her latest endeavor on Instagram over the weekend with a photo showing off her impressive physique.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Formosus’ corpse was found guilty of violating papal law.
    Jane Bua, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The man could not establish the existence of a relationship of trust or a false representation or statement of fact without violating the free exercise clause of the First Amendment, the court said.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • He was taken into custody and transported to Norwalk police headquarters, where he was charged with two counts of criminal attempt at assault on a police officer, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree threatening.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
  • They were originally used mostly to evacuate casualties and resupply troops, but increasingly also to conduct combat assault missions.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The alert was inspired by the 1996 abduction and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas.
    Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Fans will have to tune in next week to find out Andrea's fate — and see if her abduction rattles Kayce.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At the same time, declining loan valuations — markdowns in the value of loans extended by private credit funds — are signaling stress at the company level, forcing private equity managers to mark down asset values and accept lower returns, said Hooke.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Freya Godfrey Was forced to withdraw from the latest squad due to injury, and is uncapped at senior level.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rape

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster