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.
The women don’t realize that they are being drugged and victimized at night until one of them begins to put together physical clues and has scattered memories of the trauma, leading to a plan to turn the table on their attackers. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 The four goalies most victimized by the Ovechkin Spot are Marc-André Fleury, Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist and Kari Lehtonen. Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 The Brewers, victimized by the Yankees’ bats over the weekend, also expressed an interest in them. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025 Guthrie's press release included quotes supporting the bill from first lady Melania Trump, two teen girls who were victimized with deepfake nudes, and the mother of a boy whose death led to an investigation into a possible sextortion scheme. ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 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

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