victim

noun

vic·​tim ˈvik-təm 

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

ˈvik-təm-ˌhu̇d 

noun

Synonyms

• casualty
• fatality
• loss
• prey

Examples of victim in a Sentence

the victims of a hoax

He was the victim of an error.

Recent Examples on the Web

The family is seeking separate payouts of at least $25,000 from all four companies for each of the three victims, according to the lawsuit, aiming for at least $300,000 in cumulative damages. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025

The numbers of victims far exceeded those of military regimes in Chile and Argentina. —Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

All three victims were found dead from gunshot wounds in the car. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

My heart aches for those who knew and loved Gabriela, Florinda, and Jeanette, as well as the additional victim, and are now in mourning this Easter weekend. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing victim

• fall victim to
• fashion victim
• victim mentality

Rhymes for victim

• dictum

Kids Definition

victim

noun

vic·​tim ˈvik-təm 

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