rapes 1 of 2

plural of rape
1
as in violations
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 abductions
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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rapes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rape
as in violates
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 rapes
Noun
Before turning to murder, Long is believed to have committed at least 50 rapes across Florida, according to the outlet. Erica Marrison, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025 The Pillowcase Rapist was one of the most notorious serial rapists in Florida history — with police in 2020 linking Koehler to dozens of rapes from years ago through DNA. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025 Homicides, for instance, have dropped by about 12%, and rapes have gone down by nearly 17%. Chantelle Lee, Time, 21 Oct. 2025 For a couple of years, the statistics that are coming out show more violence, more rapes, more murders, femicides. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025 Murders and assaults in Minnesota dropped in 2024 while rapes and robberies rose, according to statistics released this week by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025 At age 13, Taylor Cadle was charged with lying to law enforcement about the rapes at the insistence of Polk County sheriff’s Detective Melissa Turnage, who was assigned to investigate Cadle’s case, her lawsuit filed Friday says. Miami Herald, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025 Several investigations and studies revealed the facility was plagued with poor infrastructure and mismanagement, rapes, assaults, and allegations of medical malpractice. Pj Green september 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025 Between 1976 and 1986, California investigators searched in vain for the suspect behind 12 homicides, 45 rapes, and 120 burglaries, according to the FBI. Ian Berry, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
At the end of that game, Alma psychically rapes the protagonist, a psychic soldier named Beckett, and becomes pregnant with another child. Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025 Lanier rapes Forsythe during a job interview, which O’Brien recounts in upsetting, unwavering detail. Jared Sullivan, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2024 Donald treats Ivana with similar contempt, and then rapes her. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapes
Noun
  • And while traffic violations haven’t been privatized, Dubai’s new traffic cameras are likely generating predictable incomes that would attract investors.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The events of that day prompted the American Civil Liberties Union to sue authorities on O’Hara’s behalf for alleged violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights, among other claims.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The abductions appear to have been part of North Korea’s espionage program, according to a 2014 UN report.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Russia has denied the allegations, but the court accused Putin of personal responsibility for the abductions.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Several lawsuits have been filed in state courts arguing that the mid-decade redistricting violates the Missouri constitution.
    Connor Greene, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
  • If Butler violates any terms, the court could enforce his full 78-year sentence.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Miller was convicted of assaults on women aged 56, 68 and 22.
    City News Service, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
  • According to his application, the assaults occurred between 2010 and 2023.
    Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • On the other hand, statins lower LDL cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in the liver, which then forces the liver to remove more LDL cholesterol from the body.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Nonetheless, Williams’ presence on the field alone forces LSU’s defense to account for him at all times due to his big-play ability.
    Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rapes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapes. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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