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
And with the real-time aspect of The Pitt, there was opportunity to see the visceral intensity of a rape kit collection. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 June 2026 The deputy fire chief paid him $100 via Zelle to commit the assault, according to the affidavits, and told him the woman had agreed to the attack as part of a rape role-play fantasy. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026 The Tates had moved to Romania from the United Kingdom in 2015, after three British women accused Andrew of rape and strangulation, and the brothers seemed to operate there with impunity. Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Trying young people as adults In every state, cases that involve serious offenses, such as armed robbery or rape, can be moved to the adult criminal system. Jay Blitzman, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 Then in 2012, Hawksley was convicted of rape of a child with force, and rape of a child. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026 Yarris was subsequently charged with Craig's rape and murder, per The Guardian. Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026 Timothy Hennis, was convicted by a military court for the 1985 rape and murder of a woman and the murders of her two young daughters in North Carolina. Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026 Around 1989, over 70 women were raped in a string of incidents police referred to as the Green Chain rapes. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2026
Verb
After the brothers were arrested in Romania, the journalists Jamie Tahsin and Matt Shea reported on the women’s stories for Vice News, and another woman said that she, too, had been strangled and raped by Tate in 2014. Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Raymond Lunn, 31, has been held in prison without bond since his arrest in October 2025 after nearly raping a student at JHU. Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 7 June 2026 Hawksley during this time repeatedly raped a 12-year-old boy — who was a member of the youth group. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026 Outspoken Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania (The Voice of Hind Rajab, Four Daughters, The Man Who Sold His Skin) has made genre-bending films about women joining ISIS and police chasing down Muslim women who’ve been raped. Jada Yuan, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026 In a pair of statements published in 2020, Duffy shared that she had been abducted, raped, and held captive for six weeks, an ordeal that led her to retreat from the spotlight. Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 7 June 2026 John Bennett was put to death after being convicted of raping and attempting to murder an 11-year-old girl. Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026 Timothy Hennis, a former master sergeant who worked on parachutes in the 82nd Airborne Division, was convicted in 1986 in North Carolina state court of raping a woman and murdering her and two of her daughters. Steve Beynon, ABC News, 6 June 2026 Around 1989, over 70 women were raped in a string of incidents police referred to as the Green Chain rapes. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
  • Barbara Goodman, the assistant administrator, stated that Awana—the behavioral health company run through Glory to God (GTG)—received a 30-day Medicaid termination notice in May without explanation, despite never being audited or receiving a violation.
    Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 4 June 2026
  • Citing violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, Williams issued a preliminary injunction ordering the closure of Alligator Alcatraz within 60 days.
    Eric Schlosser, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Yes, Stolen Baby is based on the real-life murder of Broussard and the kidnapping of her daughter, Margo Elizabeth Carey.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
  • But a week after reporting the kidnapping, investigators arrested the couple at their Cabazon home after determining that Emmanuel was most likely dead and the couple had faked their story.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • So Daniel’s book violated those rules, and Louis’ actions within the book did, too.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2026
  • The lawsuit says such approval violated National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands, Congress did not consent to the towering arch overlooking the event space and no environmental review was conducted before the construction.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Curiel sued for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.
    Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 8 June 2026
  • The lawsuit was filed on the bases of negligence, assault, battery, outrage and strict liability, seeking damages in excess of $75,000.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Director Robert Lieberman amps up the disturbing scares and emotions; an abduction scene is hard to forget.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
  • After her abduction, neighbors showed their support for the Guthrie family with yellow flowers and ribbons.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • The disparity has forced Goldman into the awkward position of defending a seat he’s held for two terms by running, at least in part, as the outsider.
    Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
  • Firefighters battled a nearly 1,200-acre brush fire burning in a remote area near the Los Angeles-Kern County line that temporarily forced evacuation orders and warnings for people living nearby.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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