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
Examples of victim in a Sentence
the victims of a hoax
He was the victim of an error.
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the victims who was inside the market at the time of the crash and died at the scene, was identified as 42-year-old Deris Renoj, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed on Friday.
—
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to the families of the victims in separate statements and asked that all possible medical assistance be provided for those wounded.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Clinton, whose relationship with Epstein has been subject to public scrutiny, said his desire for a public hearing is out of respect for Epstein’s victims and claimed Comer, who presides over the committee, is using Clinton as a political pawn.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
The victim had surgery and is now recovering, the statement said.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for victim
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Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to the families of the victims in separate statements and asked that all possible medical assistance be provided for those wounded.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Clinton, whose relationship with Epstein has been subject to public scrutiny, said his desire for a public hearing is out of respect for Epstein’s victims and claimed Comer, who presides over the committee, is using Clinton as a political pawn.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
The victim had surgery and is now recovering, the statement said.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for victim
Cite this Entry
“Victim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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