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
Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
In 2024, the Queens native starred in the London production of Lindsey Ferrentino’s eye-opening play, which tells the shattering true story of Nick Yarris, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder and spent 22 years on Pennsylvania’s death row.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Four men in Louisiana were charged with rape and murder four decades after 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp was found dead, thanks to a podcast and new DNA technology.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Now 40 years old, Jessica Mann’s first day of testimony at Weinstein’s rape retrial marked her third time addressing a Manhattan Supreme Court jury in six years.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Mann’s allegation of a 2013 rape in a Manhattan hotel is again up for consideration because of a series of legal switchbacks.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said his office would file a charge of murder against Lawhead, along with two special circumstance allegations for killing Wanner during the commission of rape and kidnapping.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Four men have been arrested and charged in the 1982 rape and murder of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp — a case that went cold for more than four decades before DNA testing and a true-crime podcast cracked it open.
—Jeremy Mikula, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Willie James Little, 57, was arrested April 16 and charged with second degree rape and first degree burglary, CMPD said in an April 23 news release.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Mary Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
She had been raped and strangled.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
Tong referenced an expose on CNN that revealed a network of websites and group chats on platforms like Telegram in which men uploaded videos of drugging and raping their wives and advised others how to do the same.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Bell was raped in Brockton in 1993.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The woman, who said Swalwell raped her in a New York City hotel in April 2024, shared her story with CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle earlier this month.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The man then raped her and then moved at her with a sharp object, Cruz said.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
The 16-year-old boy charged with raping and killing his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a cruise ship in November pleaded not guilty to the crime this week.
—David Goodhue
april 23, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Weinstein was also convicted of raping an Italian model at a trial in Los Angeles in 2022 and sentenced to 16 years.
—Karla Cote, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
Her testimony came after a judge last year declared a mistrial on the count of rape.
—Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
In 2024, the Queens native starred in the London production of Lindsey Ferrentino’s eye-opening play, which tells the shattering true story of Nick Yarris, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder and spent 22 years on Pennsylvania’s death row.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Four men in Louisiana were charged with rape and murder four decades after 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp was found dead, thanks to a podcast and new DNA technology.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Now 40 years old, Jessica Mann’s first day of testimony at Weinstein’s rape retrial marked her third time addressing a Manhattan Supreme Court jury in six years.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Mann’s allegation of a 2013 rape in a Manhattan hotel is again up for consideration because of a series of legal switchbacks.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said his office would file a charge of murder against Lawhead, along with two special circumstance allegations for killing Wanner during the commission of rape and kidnapping.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Four men have been arrested and charged in the 1982 rape and murder of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp — a case that went cold for more than four decades before DNA testing and a true-crime podcast cracked it open.
—Jeremy Mikula, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Willie James Little, 57, was arrested April 16 and charged with second degree rape and first degree burglary, CMPD said in an April 23 news release.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Nearly a month later, not far from Hot Skates and near the Long Island Rail Road tracks, Theresa's body was discovered, beaten, raped and strangled, buried under a pile of leaves and wooden shipping pallets.
—Mary Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
She had been raped and strangled.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
Tong referenced an expose on CNN that revealed a network of websites and group chats on platforms like Telegram in which men uploaded videos of drugging and raping their wives and advised others how to do the same.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Bell was raped in Brockton in 1993.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The woman, who said Swalwell raped her in a New York City hotel in April 2024, shared her story with CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle earlier this month.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The man then raped her and then moved at her with a sharp object, Cruz said.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
The 16-year-old boy charged with raping and killing his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a cruise ship in November pleaded not guilty to the crime this week.
—David Goodhue
april 23, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Weinstein was also convicted of raping an Italian model at a trial in Los Angeles in 2022 and sentenced to 16 years.
—Karla Cote, Variety, 21 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
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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
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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
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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
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It was eventually reduced to 184 games for violating the league's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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He was also later convicted in federal court of violating Bils’ civil rights.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The assault killed at least seventeen people, including a twelve-year-old boy, wounded dozens, and destroyed buildings.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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Allen will be arraigned Monday on charges, including assault of a federal officer and discharging a firearm in an attempt to kill a federal officer.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Fritz also reviewed clips of the abduction video that shows Horner placing Athena in his FedEx truck.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But in 2003, Santa Barbara police arrested Jackson on 10 criminal counts, including child molestation, abduction, false imprisonment, and extortion.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy botched an uncontested breakout pass, and Tage Thompson hounded Fraser Minten to force a turnover.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The resulting uproar forced the resignation of the chief Sinaloa prosecutor.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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