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

Dennis Sochor, 74, became the oldest inmate executed in state history when he was put to death by lethal injection on Tuesday, July 14, for the 1982 rape and murder of 18-year-old Patty Gifford in Fort Lauderdale. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 July 2026

In 1987, jurors convicted Sochor of the kidnapping, rape and first-degree murder of Gifford, who had moved to Fort Lauderdale from Massachusetts in 1981, months before she was killed. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

The Carr brothers were together convicted of more than 90 counts, including murder, kidnapping, robbery and rape. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

But allegations of rape by a former romantic partner last week forced him to drop out of the race. — Tamara Keith, NPR, 14 July 2026

And Syracuse University seemed more interested in suppressing news of a rape epidemic than solving it. — ProPublica, 14 July 2026

At the time of Gifford's disappearance, Sochor was free on probation from a 1980 rape conviction. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Sochor, then 29, had been on probation for a 1980 Oakland Park rape at the time. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026

Away from fight sports, this past month has seen three players competing at the men’s World Cup who are facing active investigations or have been charged with rape. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Verb

The sheriff said Lawhead was sentenced to spend 19 years in prison for brutally attacking a 71-year-old grandmother and raping her 11-year-old granddaughter in 1980 in Sacramento County. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

During those same four months, Sebold’s roommate was raped in their apartment. — ProPublica, 14 July 2026

Gifford was never seen again because, prosecutors say, Sochor raped and killed her at the side of a deserted road. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

According to his own brother’s testimony, Sochor raped and murdered Gifford, then hid her body. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026

Within hours, Gifford was raped and murdered after Sochor and his brother left the Fort Lauderdale bar with her under the guise of going to breakfast, court records say. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 July 2026

The 28-year-old was accused of raping a woman in the back of a car after meeting her outside a New Year’s party in London in January 2023. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 10 July 2026

In that film’s story, Insiang (Hilda Koronel) metes out revenge against Dado (Ruel Vernal), her hateful mother’s lover, who rapes her after rejecting his advances. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Top Boy star Micheal Ward reportedly broke down in tears in court on Friday after being cleared of raping a woman. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026