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

The grim reality is that law-abiding citizens are often victimized by criminal activities through trafficking and extortion. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

An encounter with Libra is like stumbling into your favorite rom-com and experiencing your very own meet-cute Comments From Bella Hadid and Kim Kardashian to Bruno Mars and Glen Powell, raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by Libra’s fatal charm. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024

Those who believe they have been victimized should report the theft to the Department of Human Services no later than Nov. 27, the department said. —Michael R. Wickline, arkansasonline.com, 16 Sep. 2024

Harris is hardly alone in being victimized in this manner. —Keith Bromery, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2024

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