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

What comes next, though the narrator continues to use us rather than I, is clearly an account of frequent marital rape. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

The execution of Duckett, a former police officer who was convicted of the 1987 rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl, was scheduled for noon Eastern, according to the outlets. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

The post mocked a Dooley operative whose wife attempted suicide after accusing former NBC host Matt Lauer of rape. — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 27 July 2026

The Tate brothers were arrested in Romania in 2023 and formally indicted on charges of human trafficking, rape and forming an organized criminal group, but their case has yet to proceed to trial. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026

Franklin said the handprints are meant to represent the 84% of Indigenous women who experience violence, rape or murder in their lifetime and the 8% of Indigenous men who experience violence and murder in their lifetime. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 27, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026

The former head of Miss Hall’s School is accused of prioritizing the Massachusetts school’s reputation when failing to investigate concerns about a former teacher who has been charged with rape. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 July 2026

Another woman accused Tristan Tate of rape and assault during a long-term relationship that began in 2012. — James Powel, USA Today, 24 July 2026

He had previously been charged on 10 counts including rape, bodily harm, human trafficking and prostitution. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Verb

Investigators found cell phone videos of him raping the children, taken from his point of view, the prosecutor said. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Fighters raped the girls and married them against their will. — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

The United Nations has issued a warning about an alarming surge in women and girls being raped in Haiti, many of them homeless after being forced out of their homes and neighborhoods by armed gangs. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

The filing alleged that West attempted to vaginally penetrate her with his fingers, forcibly kissed her, and orally raped her during a 2021 work trip, among other claims. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026

Duckett was convicted of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl in 1987. — Robert McGreevy , Bill Mears , Shannon Bream , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

Medusa is raped by Poseidon, but because Poseidon raped her in Athena’s temple, Athena takes it as an affront and blames Medusa, cursing her by turning her hair into snakes. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 27 July 2026

In the mid-2010s, Doe and another man broke into a 16-year-old girl’s home, restrained her father and another boy and raped her before setting the house on fire. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

In one case, a witness known as Kate reported that her captors had filmed her being raped by a dog—an extraordinary allegation. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026