rape 1 of 2

noun

ˈrāp How to pronounce rape (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Flynn’s attorney, Jerry Giesler, had become famous defending Alexander Pantages, the theater-chain mogul, on a rape charge. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Some critics report being verbally abused, doxxed, and even threatened with rape and death by BJP supporters. — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 The move came as a surprise, since Høiby is not of blood relation to the late King and is currently on house arrest after being found guilty of two counts of rape in June. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 From the new arrivals, Dresdeners heard the harrowing tales of mass rapes, murders, and atrocities perpetrated by Russian soldiers eager for revenge. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026 Jimerson and Brown, who died in 2020, were two of four people convicted of taking part in the murder and rape of 78-year-old Myrtle Holmes of Fordyce. — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026 That explodes into action in one startlingly seedy scene involving a rape in full view of revelers at a hotel party. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 His involvement in criminal proceedings and the allegations of rape and assault against him, resulting in a conviction on two counts of rape and a four-year prison sentence, have cast a particularly difficult light on the crown prince’s family. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 In June, Marius Borg Høiby, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of rape and domestic violence after a seven-week trial that further tarnished the family’s reputation. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
What will Alice do with the footage of herself being raped found on Easton’s computer? — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 At the time, Laura’s father had not been told his daughter was allegedly raped and killed by Hedrick. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Thomas Frey/picture alliance via Getty Images His DNA had been on file since his conviction in 1999 of attempting to rape a 16-year-old girl. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 After Madeline’s birthday, Jane is forced to have a difficult conversation with Ziggy after Amabella, Renata’s daughter, tells her that Perry raped Jane. — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 According to a detective’s testimony at a preliminary hearing, Thomas raped a 15-year-old girl while forcing her to insult Blythe Street. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Podorozhnya told The Associated Press during an interview in the Krakow shelter, referring to her own experience of a man trying to rape her on a street in Poland in 2016. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Marolt came into the bedroom and raped the victim, the news release said. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 Swalwell, 45, suspended his campaign for governor of California in April after multiple women accused him of inappropriate behavior ranging from sending lewd, unwanted messages to drugging, raping and choking them. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rape
  1. violation
  2. kidnapping
  3. violate
  4. assault
  5. abduction
  6. force
Noun
  • If Paul Baker wins, Nina will report the zoning violation that is their household.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Other alleged violations — which total 23 in all — range from not having any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors throughout the property to failing to maintain the building in a structurally safe and stable condition.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Chilean authorities have charged Rafael Enrique Gámez Salas, the alleged leader of Los Piratas, the main branch of Tren de Aragua in Chile, with kidnapping, extortion and criminal association, among other offenses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Former Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Mike Caruso, who is facing allegations of kidnapping and molesting a child, will be freed from jail and can have contact with children, an Orlando judge ruled Friday.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of kidnapping
Verb
  • In its March 9 lawsuit, Anthropic alleged the government violated its right to free speech under the First Amendment to the Constitution by retaliating against its views on AI safety.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The administration is appealing a June ruling by a lower court that the ban probably violated the troops’ constitutional rights and cannot be enforced against those currently serving while the litigation continues.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of violate
Noun
  • After his discharge, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Hurtados have continued to experience emotional distress from the assault and its aftermath, according to the lawsuit.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • While individual kidnappings in Haiti are commonplace, mass abductions are more unusual.
    — Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Last week, dozens of people were kidnapped from a mosque in a spate of abductions at several villages in Nigeria's north-central Niger state.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of abduction
Verb
  • As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes, operators were forced to drain one pond and divert its water to save fish in another, the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization said in early August.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of force

Browse Nearby Words

rapacity
rape
raped
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Cite this Entry

“Rape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rape. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rape

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rape

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