Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Pelicot became a global figurehead of strength and feminism after waiving her right to anonymity and confronting dozens of the men who had raped her.
From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2026
In suing Carroll, Trump said she tarred his reputation by maintaining in comments on CNN following the jury verdict that he had raped her.
From Reuters ● Aug. 10, 2023
The writer E. Jean Carroll claims that Mr. Trump defamed her in denying that he had raped her.
From New York Times ● Dec. 3, 2020
It was for NBC News that he began investigating Harvey Weinstein after Rose McGowan tweeted that a producer, whom many assumed was Weinstein, had raped her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2019
Actor Mia Farrow, whose son Ronan wrote a New Yorker article in which three women alleged Weinstein had raped them, wrote on Twitter:
From The Guardian ● Oct. 15, 2017
