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

The original lawsuit, filed in January, alleged the young girl was victimized by an older individual during events linked to the church the Riveras co-founded. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025

Prosecutors also said detectives recovered video footage that suggests there may be dozens, if not hundreds, of women who were victimized. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025

Krysten Ritter’s Jones was a woman whose virtually limitless strength wasn’t able to save her from being victimized, and that made for relatable storytelling to just about every woman. —Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025

Differentiate Between Victimization and Victim Mindset Being victimized by unfair circumstances is different from adopting a victim mindset. —Melody Wilding, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 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