Rape: meaning, definitions and examples
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rape
[ reɪp ]
criminal offense
Rape is a serious criminal offense that involves forcing someone to have sexual intercourse against their will. It is a violation of the victim's autonomy, safety, and dignity.
Synonyms
assault, sexual assault, violation.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| rape |
Used to describe a very serious crime involving forced sexual intercourse without consent. This term carries a very strong negative connotation and is often used in legal contexts.
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| sexual assault |
Describes any form of unwanted sexual contact or behavior that is committed without consent. This includes a wide range of actions and is often used in both legal and social discussions.
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| violation |
Used broadly to describe any act that breaks a rule, law, or agreement. In the context of personal space or rights, it can refer to an invasion of someone's bodily autonomy, but isn't as specific as 'rape' or 'sexual assault'.
|
| assault |
Used to describe a physical attack or threat of attack. It is a general term that can refer to various types of physical harm, not necessarily of a sexual nature.
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Examples of usage
- Statistics show that the majority of rape victims are women.
- The legal definition of rape varies from country to country.
sexual violence
To rape someone means to force them to engage in sexual activity against their will. It is a heinous act of violence that can have long-lasting physical and psychological effects on the victim.
Synonyms
sexually abuse, sexually assault, violate.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| rape |
This word is used in legal and formal contexts to describe the criminal act of forcing someone to engage in sexual activity without their consent. It has a very serious and strong connotation.
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| sexually assault |
Typically, this is used to describe a wider range of non-consensual sexual actions, which may or may not include rape. It is often used in formal and legal contexts.
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| violate |
This term can be used more generally to describe an act that breaches someone's rights or personal space, often used in both formal and informal situations. It may not always imply a sexual context but can be associated with it.
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| sexually abuse |
Use this term when referring to a broader range of non-consensual sexual acts, often in the context of ongoing or repeated behavior. It can be used in both legal and general discussions. It also has a serious and somber tone.
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Examples of usage
- She was raped by a stranger in a dark alley.
- The soldier was accused of raping several women during the war.
Translations
Translations of the word "rape" in other languages:
🇵🇹 estupro
🇮🇳 बलात्कार
🇩🇪 Vergewaltigung
🇮🇩 pemerkosaan
🇺🇦 зґвалтування
🇵🇱 gwałt
🇯🇵 強姦 (ごうかん)
🇫🇷 viol
🇪🇸 violación
🇹🇷 tecavüz
🇰🇷 강간 (ganggan)
🇸🇦 اغتصاب (ightisab)
🇨🇿 znásilnění
🇸🇰 znásilnenie
🇨🇳 强奸 (qiángjiān)
🇸🇮 posilstvo
🇮🇸 nauðgun
🇰🇿 зорлау
🇬🇪 გაუპატიურება (gaupat'iureba)
🇦🇿 zorlanma
🇲🇽 violación
Etymology
The word 'rape' has a long history, dating back to the 14th century. It originally meant 'seize prey; take by force', and later evolved to include the sexual connotation. Throughout history, rape has been used as a tool of power, control, and domination. It is a deeply ingrained issue in societies around the world, with efforts to combat and prevent it ongoing.
See also: rapacity.