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
A jury will be asked this week to decide how much more money Donald Trump will have to pay E. Jean Carroll, a writer, for defaming her after she said that he had raped her.
From New York Times ● Jan. 15, 2024
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
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
Sweden's chief prosecutor Eva Finne formally closed another case involving a woman who claimed Assange had raped her.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 25, 2010
