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

Traditionally, there are no political speeches at the ground zero commemoration, where victims' relatives read aloud the long list of names and added personal messages. — Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026

Attendees noted that several of the victims on 9/11 were Muslim or Arab American. — Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 12 Sep. 2026

Florida officials on Friday said the state’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was the victim of a cyberattack. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2026

Also make time for Ian O’Connor’s remembrance, with insights from families of 9/11 victims. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Sep. 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