victimize

verb

vic·​tim·​ize ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz 

victimized; victimizing

transitive verb

1

: to make a victim of

2

: to subject to deception or fraud : cheat

victimization

ˌvik-tə-mə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

victimizer

ˈvik-tə-ˌmī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of victimize

• cheat
• pluck
• squeeze
• sting
• hustle
• deceive
• screw
• defraud
• beat
• stick
• do

Examples of victimize in a Sentence

They were victimized because of their religion.

victimized by a confidence man with a slick story

Recent Examples on the Web

Victims and co-victims are often re-victimized by true crime and its avid fandom. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 June 2026

Boghosian questioned whether swimmers who felt victimized by the Meads would return to campus. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2026

This decision by the justice system now means the nightmare returns and his innocence will be victimized again and again. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 11 June 2026

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed If you’ve been victimized, response time is critical. — Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

victimize

verb

vic·​tim·​ize ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz 

victimized; victimizing

: to make a victim of especially by cheating