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

Even center Tyler Linderbaum and Hamilton have been victimized at times and haven’t come close to All-Pro form. —Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Boise State sacked Swann five times, and cornerback A’Marion McCoy victimized him with the first pick-six, reading a pass to the right flat perfectly to intercept it and returning it 26 yards untouched for a touchdown in the first half. —Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025

There are constantly bad actors out there looking for opportunities to victimize others, Robinson said. —Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2025

While Ward is one of the hitters most victimized by bad calls, Mike Trout is tied for the major league lead with 113 incorrect calls that benefitted him. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 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