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

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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

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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

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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
The 1991 movie stars Nick Nolte as Sam Bowden, the one-time public defender who Cady haunts, blaming his long prison incarceration for rape on purposefully faulty defense tactics. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026 Some had their hands tied behind their backs, and others showed signs of torture or rape. Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 The statute of limitations did not apply to this case because Gale moved out of state after the rapes. Riley Rourke, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026 Russell Brand‘s rape trial has been pushed back from June to October. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026 The public won’t be privy to new details in the child rape case against the former Sycamore Brewing co-owner for the next several months, his attorney said. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026 Kutcher and Kunis have mostly kept a low profile in Hollywood after the fallout from their controversial support of former co-star Danny Masterson, who was convicted to 30 years in prison for rape. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Mar. 2026 He was also found not guilty of another count of rape and assault alleged to have occurred in November 2024, according to PA Media. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026 The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office on March 27 charged 68-year-old Benjamin Wagner — who worked for the DPD from 1989 to 2017 — with the 2002 rape and kidnapping of a then 14-year-old girl who was on her way to catch the bus to school. Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Prosecutors argue that Duckett was a monster in disguise who abused the badge and brutally raped and killed Teresa before dumping her body in a lake. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026 According to court documents, on July 31, 1976 Hitchcock raped his step-niece Cynthia Driggers in her bedroom in Orange County. Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026 The certification of a Plymouth Police officer accused of raping a minor has been suspended. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 Soon after, two men attempted to rape her while in a nightclub, leaving her deeply scarred, and as reports indicate, this led her to a care home for worsening psychiatric symptoms. Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026 Civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, who worked alongside Chavez, said she was raped and bore two of his children. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026 Los Angeles is changing César Chávez Day to Farm Worker’s Day, while some advocates, including former farmworkers, are asking that Chávez be replaced with Dolores Huerta, the civil rights leader who fought alongside the man who allegedly raped her. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026 The woman screamed and tried to run, but Longmire tackled her from behind, pinned her down and tried to rape her, according to trial testimony. Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026 She had been raped, strangled and drowned at a lake less than a mile from the convenience store. Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
  • Another 24 teens were cited for curfew violations, police said.
    Lauren Victory, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Origen was not allowed to open after an eighth visit on March 21 found three violations (one high-priority), or after a ninth inspection on March 24 found three violations (one high-priority) and a 10th visit also found three violations (one high-priority) on March 25.
    Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Detectives have not determined if he is connected to last week's kidnapping in the same general area.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • In November, the board granted parole to Gregory Lee Vogelsang, who was convicted in August 1999 of more than two dozen child molestation and kidnapping charges involving five boys.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Uthmeier said the Rooney Rule violates Florida law.
    Mac Engel March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Killing a civilian scientist would violate international law.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • At present, as America's military aggression and assault continue with full force, all our efforts and resources are devoted to defending Iran's very existence.
    Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • After investigating the shooting, Boston Police detectives were able to obtain a warrant for the suspect out of Suffolk County Juvenile Court for several gun charges and armed assault to murder.
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Of cases that do involve abduction, the vast majority are committed by someone the child knows — often a parent in a custody dispute — rather than a stranger.
    Stephen Johnson, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Events leading up to the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard are set to be dramatized in a new two-part series for the BBC.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The other key will be avoiding turnovers, as South Carolina is forcing more than 18 per game.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Soft, adjustable lighting, outdoor rain showers with peepholes framing the scenery, incredibly comfy poolside daybeds, super-crisp sheets, open-plan bathrooms with capacious closets—everything works, but nothing feels forced or superfluous.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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