victim

noun

vic·​tim ˈvik-təm 

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

victimhood

ˈvik-təm-ˌhu̇d 

noun

Synonyms

• casualty
• fatality
• loss
• prey

Examples of victim in a Sentence

the victims of a hoax

He was the victim of an error.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since its inception in 2011, the CFPB said its enforcement actions in 42 cases involving harm to service members and veterans have delivered $183 million in redress to victims. —Melissa Chan, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025

Scott spent the money, almost $470,000, at casinos, personal expenses or payments to other victims to keep the scheme afloat, prosecutors said. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2025

Ultimately, in many ways, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are victims of their own success. —Callum Booth, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

The two boys have become the most recognizable victims of the October 7 terror attacks. —Mick Krever, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin victima; perhaps akin to Old High German wīh holy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing victim

• fall victim to
• fashion victim
• victim mentality

Kids 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