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

In 2011, Christopher Cheary murdered, raped and tortured Sophia Acosta, identified as his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter. — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

When researchers tell stories about people who are victims of crimes—ranging from having an iPad stolen to being raped—such victims are seen as virtuous, more moral and more trustworthy than comparable people who have not been victimized. — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026

Decades later, the doctors who claimed Consuelo was raped and sodomized would realize the injuries were likely because of trauma from medical workers attempting to insert an adult-sized catheter. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

The first said her husband had raped her and later threatened her with an acid attack, while a second woman told Channel 4 and CPL before broadcast about being allegedly raped by her husband. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

David Allen Rundle Rundle raped and strangled to death two women and a 15-year-old girl in Placer County over six months in 1986. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

One of the two women alleged that the husband she was matched with raped her and threatened her with an acid attack, according to the BBC. — Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026

The spot sparked national bipartisan backlash on grounds that Acton's mother had lost custody of her children decades ago after her husband, their stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton as a child. — Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026

The defining moment of this campaign came with an ad made by the Ramaswamy campaign that tried to use Acton's estranged mother, who fled the state with a husband who was indicted for raping Acton as a child, to call Acton a liar. — Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026