victimize

verb

vic·​tim·​ize ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz How to pronounce victimize (audio)
victimized; victimizing

transitive verb

1
: to make a victim of
2
: to subject to deception or fraud : cheat
victimization noun
victimizer noun

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 But the methodology YouGov uses, known in the polling world as opt-in panels, can be victimized by bogus respondents. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The second one of those priorities has taken on greater significance amid a slump in theatrical ticket sales, victimized by a one-two punch from Covid and streaming. Brian Lowry, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Nadia Khan-Roberts, the mother of one of the victims, told NBC Miami in December that for all of the families whose children were victimized the incident was traumatizing. Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2024 In a dramatic moment, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stood up and apologized to those teens and families victimized on social media. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024 This Arizona city was ranked one of the happiest in the US 211 help line for sober living victims has had more than 20,000 calls While there are no exact reports of how many people were victimized by the sober living schemes, those needing help can access services by calling 2-1-1 and pressing 7. Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 By victimizing oneself, individuals might seek validation and sympathy while implicitly accusing the other party of wrongdoing, hindering constructive dialogue and conflict resolution. Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Only a small portion of them are suspects in a pattern of robberies victimizing dozens of women across the Big Apple, NYPD officials said at a press briefing last week announcing seven arrests. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2024 As the victim in this case, Mr. Henley has once again been victimized by this unjust outcome. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'victimize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of victimize was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near victimize

Cite this Entry

“Victimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victimize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

victimize

verb
vic·​tim·​ize ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz How to pronounce victimize (audio)
victimized; victimizing
: to make a victim of especially by cheating

More from Merriam-Webster on victimize

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