The R word as a verb has a different emphasis than does the (adjectival) noun that is taboo. The emphasis difference is common among identically spelled pairs of verb/nouns. The noun almost always has emphasis on first syllable, e.g. [a] record (noun) versus [to] record (verb).

But yeah, some people are going to avoid it anyway, not least because it's indistinguishable in text form, and I wouldn't blame them.

I note that the M word (to belatedly drag myself back on topic) doesn't work as a verb.