1
: one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent
the schools are victims of the social system
: such as
a(1)
: one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions
a victim of cancer
a victim of the auto crash
a murder victim
(2)
: one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment
a frequent victim of political attacks
b
: one that is tricked or duped
a con man's victim
2
: a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious rite
Examples of victim in a Sentence
the victims of a hoax
He was the victim of an error.
Recent Examples on the Web
The move drew immediate condemnation from the abuse victims and their attorneys, whose lawsuits were effectively paused while a bankruptcy judge reviewed the church’s finances and assets.
—
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
When asked if the injuries appeared to have come from the victim’s own hunting party or another hunter, Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting responded that more information would be released after the weekend.
—Matt Henson, Twin Cities, 9 Nov. 2024
The genomic data, combined with the location and positions of the victims, also challenged our conceptions of traditional gender and family roles.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
The horror-novel-inspiring creatures survive entirely on the blood of their victims.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for victim 
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.
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
When asked if the injuries appeared to have come from the victim’s own hunting party or another hunter, Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting responded that more information would be released after the weekend.
—Matt Henson, Twin Cities, 9 Nov. 2024
The genomic data, combined with the location and positions of the victims, also challenged our conceptions of traditional gender and family roles.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
The horror-novel-inspiring creatures survive entirely on the blood of their victims.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for victim
Dictionary Entries Near victim
Cite this Entry
“Victim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
victim
noun
vic·tim
ˈvik-təm 
1
: a living being offered as a sacrifice in a religious rite
2
: an individual injured or killed (as by disease or accident)
3
: a person cheated, fooled, or harmed by another
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share