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
The check was requested by a relative after friends and family had not heard from the victims, officials said.
—
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Jones is also charged with possession of a firearm with prior violent convictions and some of his current felony charges carry enhancements related to using a firearm, as well as causing great bodily injury to one of the victims, the DA's Office said.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 8 May 2026
During the sentencing hearing, statements from the victims’ parents were read aloud before the court.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2026
Monday night when the teen suspect and two friends woke him up and began harassing him, at one point urinating in a cup and throwing it on the victim, according to prosecutors citing surveillance footage.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for victim
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show current usage.
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Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Jones is also charged with possession of a firearm with prior violent convictions and some of his current felony charges carry enhancements related to using a firearm, as well as causing great bodily injury to one of the victims, the DA's Office said.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 8 May 2026
During the sentencing hearing, statements from the victims’ parents were read aloud before the court.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2026
Monday night when the teen suspect and two friends woke him up and began harassing him, at one point urinating in a cup and throwing it on the victim, according to prosecutors citing surveillance footage.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 8 May 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 11 May. 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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