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

The raid underscores gangs’ push to seize strategic mountain corridors around upscale Pétion-Ville, even as armed groups now control most of Port-au-Prince and nationwide killings, rapes and kidnappings surge. — Pierre-Richard Luxama, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

In cases of rape and murder, the punishment is life imprisonment. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Most people have heard about the arrests of Andrew and Tristan Tate in July on charges that include rape and human trafficking. — Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

The jury could not reach majority verdicts of at least 10 out of 12 jurors on the remaining three rape charges. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

At the Texas and Connecticut trials, victims’ relatives testified that Jones’ followers — believing his claims that the shooting didn’t happen — subjected them to death and rape threats, in-person harassment and abusive comments on social media. — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Allie is bamboozled by a sleazy musician, who serenades her with an ode to date rape. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, and Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, were forced to resign from the House earlier this year after accusations of rape and inappropriate relationships with staffers, respectively. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026

Their songs confronted rape culture, body shaming and the politics of gender while making room for queerness, friendship and collective strength — subjects that, as the band now sees it, remain painfully current. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

What will Alice do with the footage of herself being raped found on Easton’s computer? — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

At the time, Laura’s father had not been told his daughter was allegedly raped and killed by Hedrick. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Thomas Frey/picture alliance via Getty Images His DNA had been on file since his conviction in 1999 of attempting to rape a 16-year-old girl. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

After Madeline’s birthday, Jane is forced to have a difficult conversation with Ziggy after Amabella, Renata’s daughter, tells her that Perry raped Jane. — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

According to a detective’s testimony at a preliminary hearing, Thomas raped a 15-year-old girl while forcing her to insult Blythe Street. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Podorozhnya told The Associated Press during an interview in the Krakow shelter, referring to her own experience of a man trying to rape her on a street in Poland in 2016. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Marolt came into the bedroom and raped the victim, the news release said. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Swalwell, 45, suspended his campaign for governor of California in April after multiple women accused him of inappropriate behavior ranging from sending lewd, unwanted messages to drugging, raping and choking them. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026