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

• beat
• bilk
• bleed
• cheat
• chisel
• chouse
• con
• cozen
• defraud
• diddle
• do
• do in
• euchre
• fiddle
• fleece
• flimflam
• gaff
• hose [slang]
• hustle
• mulct
• nobble [British slang]
• pluck
• ream
• rip off
• rook
• screw
• shake down
• short
• shortchange
• skin
• skunk
• squeeze
• stick
• stiff
• sting
• sucker
• swindle
• thimblerig

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

Offense Also Struggles Atlanta has been victimized by a struggling offense – even after the return of former league MVP Ronald Acuna, Jr. just weeks ago. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

The myth of the McDonald’s case suggests the restaurant giant was victimized by an unscrupulous plaintiff. —Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025

According to federal law, anything that’s forfeited following a criminal conviction could conceivably be used to help some or all of those alleged to have been victimized by Combs. —Josh Meyer, USA Today, 15 May 2025

Saturday, he felt victimized by bad luck by an untimely safety car in the Sprint race won by Norris and his own mistakes that kept him getting more out of his car while qualifying fourth. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 May 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