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 of victim

• fatality
• casualty
• 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 push is attempting to cut down on wait times for crime victims accessing services and take inventory of the state’s violence prevention efforts under his tenure, according to an executive order obtained by The Sacramento Bee. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Virus spreading in animals in Europe The victim was a man in 60s living in the Lyon area in eastern France, local newspaper Le Progres reported. — CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

On June 11, Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to federal charges in the murders, shootings and stalking of the victims. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Eight more suspects, including Quianelle Antonio Reyes-Citron and Brian Alexander Ramirez, both of whom are 18, repeatedly punched the victim in his head and face. — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

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