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 kidnaping
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
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
One also said a rape occurred at a nearby hotel.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
More than a year earlier, in April 2022, Brown was arrested in Coweta County in connection with the rape of the teen, the Newnan Times-Herald reported.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
He was convicted of the 1988 rape and fatal beating of his former manager at a Florida convenience store.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The claims against Hammer, including allegations of physical abuse and rape, were made by several women in 2021.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Those elements are mixed in with stories of rape, misogyny and ancestral theft that have occurred over generations, but the blend isn’t easy to follow and Chong’s message tends to get lost in the confusion.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Phillips had filed for divorce in September 2023, less than two weeks after Masterson was sentenced to prison for two counts of forcible rape.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, created by Congress and led largely by lawyers, investigated allegations of rape and unlawful searches from both the public and within DHS ranks, for instance.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
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
Masterson was charged in 2020 with raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
He was also convicted on seven rape charges perpetrated against seven different victims, all of whom testified at his trial.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
One also said a rape occurred at a nearby hotel.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
More than a year earlier, in April 2022, Brown was arrested in Coweta County in connection with the rape of the teen, the Newnan Times-Herald reported.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
He was convicted of the 1988 rape and fatal beating of his former manager at a Florida convenience store.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The claims against Hammer, including allegations of physical abuse and rape, were made by several women in 2021.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Those elements are mixed in with stories of rape, misogyny and ancestral theft that have occurred over generations, but the blend isn’t easy to follow and Chong’s message tends to get lost in the confusion.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Phillips had filed for divorce in September 2023, less than two weeks after Masterson was sentenced to prison for two counts of forcible rape.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, created by Congress and led largely by lawyers, investigated allegations of rape and unlawful searches from both the public and within DHS ranks, for instance.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Masterson was charged in 2020 with raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
-
Before 1999, violations could lead to a $10,000 fine, two years in prison and losing a liquor license.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The committee has made several allegations against Blain related to public records violations, bullying and harassment.—
Susan Gill Vardon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tuesday’s announcement comes after Israel accused Hamas of violating the truce by firing on Israeli forces in Rafah and reneging on promises to return missing hostage remains.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In a complaint filed in 2023, Gannett and the other plaintiffs accused Google of violating federal antitrust laws by abusing its dominant position to control and profit from the technology used by publishers to buy and sell ads across the internet.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other times, the mob leaned on more traditional crime tactics — robbery, extortion and assault, including a punch to one victim’s face — to force the card players to pay.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
He was sentenced to 17 years for armed kidnapping and 17 years for armed burglary with assault or battery.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are measures against the energy, military, and financial sectors of Russia, as well as specific targets against those believed to be involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Records placed Revak in Wisconsin Rapids at the time of Harm’s abduction, Degase said.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Follow what feels fun and freeing, not forced.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
In Wisconsin, the legal bar to force someone into mental health treatment is high.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That closeness, Peters said, makes Americans prime targets for extortion, kidnapping and terror.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
He was sentenced to 17 years for armed kidnapping and 17 years for armed burglary with assault or battery.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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