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
If the rape had happened at a suburban hospital, people would be demanding investigations and accountability. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026 However, Weinstein’s attorney Aidala expressed his frustration in court Thursday at the fact that the rape charge was going to a trial for a third time, rather than coming to some kind of resolution with the prosecution. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026 Harvey Weinstein is considering pleading guilty to a third-degree rape charge to avoid facing trial for a third time, the former Hollywood mogul’s lawyer told a judge in a downtown Manhattan courtroom Thursday. Adam Reiss, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026 However, the jury remained deadlocked on a third-degree charge accusing him of the rape of actress Jessica Mann. Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026 The rape charge, going to trial for a third time in New York, relates to accusations from actress Jessica Mann. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026 During Perez’s trial, the children’s mother, Yolanda Perez, detailed abuse and threats of rape, according to the Davis Enterprise. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026 Gillispie was convicted in the rape and kidnapping of twin sisters in one attack and a third woman in a second attack. Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026 In that film, there’s a rape and a murder, and various people share their idea of what happened. Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Abernathy alleged that Simmons raped her in 1983, while Abrams claimed Simmons raped her a decade later in 1994. Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025 During their time together, Wuornos alleged that Mallory raped, beat and sodomized her, according to her testimony, and per the Associated Press. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 According to the movie, closely adapted by Roman Polanski from a 1967 novel by Ira Levin, Guy has colluded with the neighbors to have Rosemary raped and impregnated by Satan. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025 An investigation initiated after their deaths discovered that Pearce had raped several women across more than a decade. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025 For the rest of the movie, Paola must try to escape being killed and raped by the duo. William Earl, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025 He was convicted of raping and killing a 6-year-old girl in 1979 after entering through a window and abducting her from her central Florida home. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025 Grim attacked her with a hammer and a knife and raped and killed her, according to court records, which say she had been bludgeoned 18 times and stabbed 11 times, mostly in the heart. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025 The 49-year-old is currently serving 30 years to life behind bars after he was found guilty of raping two women in his Hollywood-area home in 2003, amid the height of his sitcom fame. Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
  • The most common template for an insider trading violation is as follows.
    Samidh Guha, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
  • In Chicago, the indelible image of a pastor in a clerical collar shot in the head with a pepper ball by agents standing on the rooftop of an ICE building is a direct violation of CBP’s use of force policy.
    Andy Rose 19 hr ago, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • One of its founders, William da Silva Lima, spent more than 30 years behind bars after being convicted of armed robbery, extortion and kidnapping.
    Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The kidnapping, and Hannibal Lecter's confinement in a ballroom take place in Memphis.
    Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In October 2025, Beckerink pleaded no contest to domestic violence charges in connection to two incidents at Tracey's home in New Buffalo, Michigan, as well as one count of contempt for violating his bond, and was sentenced to 93 days in jail.
    Todd Feurer, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The lawsuit argues the freeze violated federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional limits on executive power and how Congress appropriates funds.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.
    Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
  • He is being held on a $2 million bond for a murder charge and must pay $200,000, as well as a $5,000 bond for an assault charge, to be released.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • While colectivo members were largely quiet immediately after Maduro’s abduction, some videos released on social media and news outlets have shown men believed to be colectivo members harassing reporters and people in the streets.
    Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Justice Department opinion allows ‘forcible abductions’ abroad In ordering Noriega’s removal, the White House relied on a 1989 legal opinion by then-Assistant Attorney General Bill Barr, issued six months before the invasion.
    Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The system adapts to tone and intent without forcing app switching or blank-page starts.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
  • She and other members of both houses and both parties were evacuated for their safety for several hours as rioters forced their way into the Capitol that day.
    David Staats, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

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