victim

noun

vic·​tim ˈvik-təm How to pronounce victim (audio)
1
: one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent
the schools are victims of the social system
: such as
a(1)
: one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions
a victim of cancer
a victim of the auto crash
a murder victim
(2)
: one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment
a frequent victim of political attacks
b
: one that is tricked or duped
a con man's victim
2
: a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious rite
victimhood noun

Examples of victim in a Sentence

the victims of a hoax He was the victim of an error.
Recent Examples on the Web Antioch Police officers who responded to a 911 call around 1:30 a.m. found the male victim, but the driver had fled, police said. Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 In this interview, directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz about the process of learning Bell was the victim, unsealing the documents and more. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Mar. 2024 Ben Gideon, one of the attorneys representing about 90 victims of the attack — including family members of those who were killed, people who were injured and witnesses — said many were happy with the commission’s assessment holding the sheriff’s department accountable. Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) arrived shortly after and transported those victims to area hospitals. Jon Haworth, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2024 Shortly after, the suspect shot and killed another victim at a home on Edgewood Lane. Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 But Read’s defense team alleges that he was fatally beaten in the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer, and that Read is the victim of a coverup to protect those inside the home that night. Faith Karimi, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 Approximately 12 minutes later, Gordon allegedly carjacked a victim at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Dollar General in Bristol Pike, Morrisville. Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2024 The victims' families have long argued that the Crumbleys aren't the only ones who made mistakes, that school officials also were negligent and must be held accountable for their children's tragic deaths. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'victim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin victima; perhaps akin to Old High German wīh holy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of victim was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near victim

Cite this Entry

“Victim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

victim

noun
vic·​tim ˈvik-təm How to pronounce victim (audio)
1
: a living being offered as a sacrifice in a religious rite
2
: an individual injured or killed (as by disease or accident)
3
: a person cheated, fooled, or harmed by another

More from Merriam-Webster on victim

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