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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Recent Examples of rape
Edith M. Lederer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
And with luck, the public will now refuse to vote for District Attorneys who disrespect victims and refuse to file rape and child abuse cases.
—Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
One matter that Friedmann didn’t discuss with me was the story of his rape, which was certainly plausible.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
This information can help trigger action to prevent rape and violence against women and children.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Two boys, ages 12 and 13, were charged by a grand jury as adults in the brutal rape of a 12-year-old girl in the garden area of a Miami apartment complex over the summer.
—David Goodhue, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Phillips offered the rare peek into her private life following the conviction of her ex-husband Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two rape convictions.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Wright found the model for his novel’s protagonist, Bigger Thomas, in the news coverage of the rape and murder of Chicago fireman’s wife Florence Johnson and the subsequent conviction and execution of Robert Nixon.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Phillips filed for divorce after Masterson was sentenced in September 2023 to 30 years to life in prison for rape.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Crackdowns against the protesters killed hundreds, and hundreds more were arrested amid reports of detainees tortured to death or raped in prison.
—Lee Keath, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Crackdowns against the protesters killed hundreds, and hundreds more were arrested amid reports of detainees tortured to death or raped in prison.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
The woman who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of raping her two decades ago walked free from a North Carolina prison on Friday after serving time for the slaying of her boyfriend.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
American citizens raped and murdered by those who have no right to be in our country.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Two teen boys are in jail, charged as adults for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in a Miami community garden last year.
—Marybel Rodriguez, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The girl vomited and went to lie down where Marino allegedly rapes her, the prosecutor added.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Ten years after a woman was raped by two men in Tamarac, DNA evidence has led to the arrest of one of her attackers, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
This information can help trigger action to prevent rape and violence against women and children.
—Edith M. Lederer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
And with luck, the public will now refuse to vote for District Attorneys who disrespect victims and refuse to file rape and child abuse cases.
—Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
One matter that Friedmann didn’t discuss with me was the story of his rape, which was certainly plausible.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
This information can help trigger action to prevent rape and violence against women and children.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Two boys, ages 12 and 13, were charged by a grand jury as adults in the brutal rape of a 12-year-old girl in the garden area of a Miami apartment complex over the summer.
—David Goodhue, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Phillips offered the rare peek into her private life following the conviction of her ex-husband Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two rape convictions.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Wright found the model for his novel’s protagonist, Bigger Thomas, in the news coverage of the rape and murder of Chicago fireman’s wife Florence Johnson and the subsequent conviction and execution of Robert Nixon.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Phillips filed for divorce after Masterson was sentenced in September 2023 to 30 years to life in prison for rape.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Ten years later, a student alleged that she was raped during the three-day weekend.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Crackdowns against the protesters killed hundreds, and hundreds more were arrested amid reports of detainees tortured to death or raped in prison.
—Lee Keath, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Crackdowns against the protesters killed hundreds, and hundreds more were arrested amid reports of detainees tortured to death or raped in prison.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
The woman who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of raping her two decades ago walked free from a North Carolina prison on Friday after serving time for the slaying of her boyfriend.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
American citizens raped and murdered by those who have no right to be in our country.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Two teen boys are in jail, charged as adults for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in a Miami community garden last year.
—Marybel Rodriguez, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The girl vomited and went to lie down where Marino allegedly rapes her, the prosecutor added.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Ten years after a woman was raped by two men in Tamarac, DNA evidence has led to the arrest of one of her attackers, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
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Peters was found guilty of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with the requirements of the secretary of state.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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Passengers who get banned from travel or booted off the plane for this violation may be eligible for a refund upon request, United adds.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Armond Langford, 32, is facing multiple charges including robbery, kidnapping, assault, wanton endangerment, fleeing/evading police, burglary and persistent felony offender.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Bivolaru, 73, was arrested in Paris in 2023 and now faces charges in France, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and rape.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect in 2024, the Israeli military has been striking Lebanon on a near-daily basis, accusing Hezbollah of violating the agreement by rearming and rebuilding its forces.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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Improper disclosure may violate privacy expectations and potentially expose the association to liability.—
Peter S. Sachs,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Stephano Wieu De Mialek, the chief administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, said on Sunday that the assault was conducted by elements linked to the White Army militia alongside forces affiliated with Machar's Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
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Photographs released by the Pentagon showed Tomahawk missiles, F/A-18s, and F-35s involved in the assault.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Nanos said the department is examining video from area homes of a car driving around the time of the abduction, but no vehicles have been linked to the crime at this point.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Nanos said officers were aware of the video showing the car around the time of Nancy's abduction.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate GOP is not united on forcing Democrats to commit to a talking filibuster to pass the voter ID bill.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But in the new series, Kayce’s serenity has been brutally shattered, forcing him to find a new path forward after an unimaginable tragedy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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