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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Phoenix was victimized by the Lakers’ Luka Dončić (among others), who put up 33 points and had 11 rebounds and eight assists. Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025 The programs provide parents with prevention tools as well as information on identifying behaviors commonly associated with children who may have been victimized. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2025 Combined, the two newspapers reported finding 12 women who claim to have been victimized by one or more of the brothers. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 As incidents of rape continue to rise citywide, a man raped a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint in the stairwell of a Bronx building last week, police said on Tuesday, urging anyone else who may have been victimized by him to come forward. Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for victimize

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of victimize was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Victimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victimize. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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