victimize

1 of 2

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

victimization

2 of 2

noun

vic·​tim·​iza·​tion ˌviktə̇mə̇ˈzāshən 

-tə̇ˌmīˈ-

plural -s

: the act or process of victimizing or the state of being victimized

Synonyms of victimize

Verb

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

Examples of victimize in a Sentence

Verb

They were victimized because of their religion.

victimized by a confidence man with a slick story

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The poll found the majority of Republicans, 52%, and a plurality of MAGA supporters, 45%, oppose the controversial fund set up by the Justice Department to pay people who believe they’ve been victimized by the government. —Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Crump is working with attorneys from Levin & Perconti, who also have been in touch with another girl who said she was victimized at the facility, and that an employee of the facility had refused to cover up evidence of wrongdoing. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026

Boghosian questioned whether swimmers who felt victimized by the Meads would return to campus. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2026

This decision by the justice system now means the nightmare returns and his innocence will be victimized again and again. —Matt Schooley, CBS News, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1813, 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