victimize

verb

vic·​tim·​ize ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz 

victimized; victimizing

transitive verb

1

: to make a victim of

2

: to subject to deception or fraud : cheat

victimization

ˌvik-tə-mə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

victimizer

ˈvik-tə-ˌmī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• beat
• bilk
• bleed
• cheat
• chisel
• chouse
• con
• cozen
• defraud
• diddle
• do
• do in
• euchre
• fiddle
• fleece
• flimflam
• gaff
• hose [slang]
• hustle
• mulct
• nobble [British slang]
• pluck
• ream
• rip off
• rook
• screw
• shake down
• short
• shortchange
• skin
• skunk
• squeeze
• stick
• stiff
• sting
• sucker
• swindle
• thimblerig

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

Prosecutors and police say the logjam can delay charges against dangerous criminals, leaving them free to victimize others. —Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025

Members of both the SVU team and Law & Order's 27th Precinct will investigate a series of rapes and murders victimizing marginalized women. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2025

Personal crime, which police measure by the number of victims not incidents, there were 167 fewer people victimized in 2024 than in 2023, with reported crimes totaling 1,000 last year. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025

Investigators have identified 19 individuals who were victimized in the scheme. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

victimize

verb

vic·​tim·​ize ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz 

victimized; victimizing

: to make a victim of especially by cheating