victimize

verb

vic·​tim·​ize ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz 

victimized; victimizing

transitive verb

1

: to make a victim of

2

: to subject to deception or fraud : cheat

victimization

ˌvik-tə-mə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

victimizer

ˈvik-tə-ˌmī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• cheat
• pluck
• squeeze
• sting
• hustle
• deceive
• screw
• defraud
• beat
• stick
• do

Examples of victimize in a Sentence

They were victimized because of their religion.

victimized by a confidence man with a slick story

Recent Examples on the Web

On the flip side, new middle linebacker Mohamed Toure had four tackles but was victimized on the biggest defensive misstep of the night -- Eli Raridon’s 65-yard catch and run that set up Carr’s 7-yard TD run to tie the game at 24 late. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025

Criminal networks also maintain and sometimes sell spreadsheets of targets, which can lead to the same person being victimized over and over again, by fraudsters taking on new personas. —Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Police asked anyone with additional information or who might have been victimized to reach out. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025

White victims are most likely to have been victimized by a white perpetrator; Black victims by a Black perpetrator and Hispanic victims by a Hispanic perpetrator, the data show. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

victimize

verb

vic·​tim·​ize ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz 

victimized; victimizing

: to make a victim of especially by cheating