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
His son, Farouk, was a suspect in the rape and murder of 23-year-old Norwegian student Martine Vik Magnussen in London in 2008. Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 Alexander William Schecter, 26, was charged with kidnapping to commit another crime, first-degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and forcible rape, all of which are felonies, according to a news release shared by the DA's Office. Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 There was no real investigation into my case based on those two photos found by the police during their investigation into the rapes committed against my mother. Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2026 On average, almost 200 rapes were recorded by the police every single day in the year up to June 2025, which the government say is likely to be an underestimate of how many took place. Cerys Jones, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026 Politico had recently published text messages leaked from a Young Republicans group chat that contained quips about Hitler, gas chambers, slavery, and rape. Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 Perez, 57 at the time of his 2020 arrest, was days away from release from Kern Valley State Prison where he had been held on a conviction of assault with intent to commit rape. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026 One of the world's most prolific serial killers, Bundy confessed to murdering at least 30 women and young girls between 1974 and 1978, and investigators suspect that there may be many more victims, as the extent of his crimes (which also included rape and kidnapping) isn't fully known. Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026 On Thursday, he was charged with one count of kidnapping to commit another crime, one count of first degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and one count of rape, according to the criminal complaint. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Nolan’s brother, Jonathan, pitched him a story during a road trip about a man with anterograde amnesia who can’t form new lasting memories and yet is intent on tracking down and killing the man who raped and killed his wife. ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026 Denise Richards plays wealthy high schooler Kelly Van Ryan, who accuses her guidance counselor, Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon), of raping her; her case is then reinforced when outcast Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) comes forward with her own allegation against Sam. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026 She had been raped, strangled and drowned. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026 Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union with Chavez, also revealed she was raped and impregnated twice by Chavez. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026 Three of the victims were children who were allegedly raped. Max Saltman, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026 One man, Jean-Pierre Marechal, was on trial not for raping Gisèle Pelicot but for using the same methods to rape his own wife and letting Dominique Pelicot rape her as well. Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026 Prosecutors said Doty was seen on Jennings County school bus surveillance video raping the 7-year-old child, with court documents alleging that the incidents occurred over several weeks last year, WDRB reported. Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026 Vilchez drove her to a secluded location and got into the backseat and raped her before driving her home. CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
Noun
  • The warrant was issued as part of an investigation into narcotics violations, police said.
    Mike Darnay, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Now called The Palms — records show the home changed ownership both in 2018 and 2019 — the ALF has been cited by health regulators for 90 violations since 2012.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the most recent kidnapping, officers described the suspect as a 40-year-old man.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Reports indicate that the possibility of an internet outage the night of the kidnapping was also looked into.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Setrakian refused to say whether his work on Bonta’s defense might violate state corruption laws.
    Will Swaim, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
  • But the implicit argument, that Colorado law effectively compels Jeffco to violate Title IX, is a major, predictable indictment of our legislature.
    Lisa Frizell, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Malek Daniels, 20, pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter, armed criminal action and second-degree assault, according to a Jackson County plea and sentencing document.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Perez, 57 at the time of his 2020 arrest, was days away from release from Kern Valley State Prison where he had been held on a conviction of assault with intent to commit rape.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The ministry said Iraqi security forces had managed to arrest one suspect and seize a vehicle used in the abduction.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The abduction sparked an operation from Iraqi security forces to track down those responsible and secure her release.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Now, as China prioritizes renewable energy over coal, Yang is ahead of the change his fellow workers are being forced to confront.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Conflicting signals have set up a week in which investors are forced to position for starkly divergent outcomes.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

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