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

Once identified, the kit dynamically loads a counterfeit login page tailored to that provider, often with the victim’s email address already filled in. —Alex Vakulov, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

The gallery was filled with the victim’s friends, colleagues and family. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025

Police said that Konig, who was identified as the victim's husband, fled the scene prior to the police's arrival. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025

Investigators searched a spot northwest of the Slade Avenue boat launch, then a diver found the license plate matching the one registered to the victim’s 1980 Toyota Celica, police said. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Mar. 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

Rhymes for victim

• dictum

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