victim

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

victimhood

2 of 2

noun (2)

vic·​tim·​hood ˈviktə̇mˌhu̇d 

: the state or condition of being a victim

Synonyms of victim

Noun (1)

• fatality
• casualty
• prey

Examples of victim in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the victims of a hoax

He was the victim of an error.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One of these evils had the mass murder of civilians as its intended goal; the other claims that its victims are unfortunate accidents. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Authorities have identified three victims in a deadly crash after a Tesla crashed into a tree and was engulfed in flames in El Dorado Hills late Saturday night. — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

No relatives or friends of the three murder victims in his case witnessed Norman's punishment. — Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

At the two-week trial, three victims recounted beatings while suspended from pipes on the ceiling and the use of a device that folded their bodies in half at the waist. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin victima; perhaps akin to Old High German wīh holy

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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