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

All these factors add up to create a particularly toxic mix for both victims of abuse and their abusers. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 16 Dec. 2024

Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims while visiting the French Mediterranean island of Corsica on Sunday. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

Almost a year ago, David Alaba became a victim of the same knock and still hasn't returned to the pitch while others including Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe have been out for weeks at a time towards the end of the year. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

And in June of this year, Florida Governor Ron De Santis signed a bill creating a $20 million restitution program for Dozier School victims. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2024

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