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

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized is encouraged to contact their band bank to request a recall or reversal as well as a Hold Harmless Letter or Letter of Indemnity. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Nov. 2024

The former doctor was also convicted in Michigan of molesting young girls under the guise of treatment, with more than 265 people, including USA Gymnastics national team stars Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas, saying Nassar victimized them. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2024

Many of the lawsuits alleged abuse going back decades against priests who were allegedly allowed to victimize parishioners with impunity. —Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

There are other cases like this in our country where people were victimized by migrants. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 8 Nov. 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