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

In later iterations, Reihana retitled the panorama In Pursuit of Venus [infected], for the astronomy project and rape joke at the heart of wallpaper’s story. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

In this case, the driver in question has already pled guilty to rape and is serving a 10-year sentence. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

He was arrested on July 29 on three counts of rape, plus a single count of endangering the welfare of a child, officials said. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026

Warren Wells was one of the AFL's most explosive wide receivers in the mid-to-late 1960s — until his career was derailed by a rape conviction that sent him to prison. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Leyva’s plea deal in the rape case was struck in March and finalized in late May, about a week before he was bussed to North Kern State Prison, records show. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

British YouTube star and rapper Yung Filly has been found not guilty of rape in an Australian court. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026

Haq said nearly 70% of the cases in the last six months involved rape, many reportedly perpetrated by armed groups. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Online court records show the rape charge against him has been dismissed. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 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