rape
22 synonyms and 0 antonyms for rape, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The crime of forcing sexual intercourse or another sexual act on someone without their consent.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Middle English rapen, rappen (“to abduct; ravish; seduce; rape; seize; snatch; carry off; transport”), probably from Latin rapiō (verb), possibly through or influenced by Anglo-Norman rap, rape (noun) (compare also ravish). But compare Swedish rappa (“to snatch, seize, carry off”), Low German rapen (“to snatch, se...
Full origin of rape →Frequently asked questions
What does consent mean in this context?
Consent is a clear, freely given, informed agreement to a specific act, and it can be withdrawn at any time. Its absence is what defines the crime. A person who is asleep, unconscious, heavily intoxicated, threatened, or below the legal age cannot give valid consent, regardless of whether they physically resisted.
Is rape a serious crime?
Yes. Nearly every legal system treats it as one of the gravest offences, comparable to other major violent crimes, and it can carry lengthy imprisonment. It is prosecuted by the state, not merely as a private dispute, and it causes lasting physical and psychological harm to those affected.