Synonyms of rape

rape 1 of 2

noun

ˈrāp 

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

• violation
• assault
• sexual assault
• ravishment

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

• kidnapping
• abduction
• hijacking
• snatch
• seizure
• impressment
• shanghaiing

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

• violate
• assault
• force
• ravish

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rape

Noun

Russell Brand‘s October 2017 appearance on The Wendy Williams Show has been used against him during his rape trial in London. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

That same jury had convicted him of the April 10, 2016, rape and murder of Guevara Machado at the Chesapeake Motel in Hialeah. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

The attack occurred March 26, 2024, after Sacramento police officers responded to a report of a rape on K Street. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Just two hours from Florida’s coast, the city is terrorized by frequent gang kidnappings, rape and arson, all broadcast on social media. — CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Three once high-flying brothers convicted of exploiting their wealth and access to luxury real estate to drug and rape dozens of women were sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison. — Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026

Made by Channel 4’s Dispatches and followed by allegations in The Sunday Times, the program accused Brand of rape and assault. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026

In Plain Sight, multiple women accused Brand of predatory actions, ranging from abuse, assault, and rape. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026

The drama in the aforementioned case coincides with comedic actor Russell Brand’s rape trial in London. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026

Verb

London’s Southwark Crown Court has heard from the complainants, one of whom says she was raped by Brand in a Bournemouth hotel room after the Labour Party conference in 1999. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026

The third woman alleges that Brand squeezed her breasts at a party in Soho in 2004 and then orally raped her in a toilet. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

The former Cornell student identified in court papers as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit last month alleging that several men raped her at a fraternity party in October 2024. — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Her body was discovered by hikers near American Fork Canyon days later, and investigators determined she had been raped, strangled and murdered. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Around the same time, another woman came forward with accusations that Swalwell raped her at a Southern California hotel in 2018. — Eric Tucker, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026

Freire is accused of raping one of the women while she was incapacitated. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Among those who spoke to journalists was Huerta, who said Chavez raped her in 1966. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Masterson was charged in 2020 with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2000 and 2003. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026