victimize

[vik-tuh-mahyz]

See more synonyms for victimize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), vic·tim·ized, vic·tim·iz·ing.

to make a victim of.
to dupe, swindle, or cheat: to victimize poor widows.
to slay as or like a sacrificial victim.

Also especially British, vic·tim·ise.

Origin of victimize

First recorded in 1820–30; victim + -ize

Related formsvic·tim·i·za·tion, nounvic·tim·iz·er, nounun·vic·tim·ized, adjective

Synonyms for victimize

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2. defraud, fool, hoodwink, beguile.

Synonym study

2. See cheat.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for victimize

sting, dupe, exploit, persecute, deceive, hoax, fleece, hoodwink, clip, screw, gull, burn, chisel, use, snow, trick, bamboozle, immolate, swindle, cozen

Examples from the Web for victimize

Contemporary Examples of victimize

About police brutality, and the militarization of American police, and how the two have paired to victimize, mostly, black men.
When Activism Is Worse Than Apathy
Nancy Kaffer
October 6, 2014
It says it has given Interpol the identities of the men who sought to victimize this little girl.
Dutch NGO Stages Sting Of Pedophiles With Virtual Girl
Christopher Dickey
November 5, 2013
But, when you act on it and victimize innocent citizens and fellow innocen officers, than that is a concern.
Rogue L.A. Cop’s Facebook Manifesto: ‘You Will Now Live the Life of Prey’
The Daily Beast
February 8, 2013
But we have an entire language for the official ways in which you can victimize women.
Does Pakistan Have No Shame?
Fatima Bhutto
February 11, 2009

Historical Examples of victimize

To impose on or to victimize one is to injure him by abusing his confidence.
English Synonyms and Antonyms
James Champlin Fernald
Their mission is to deceive and victimize the American people.
Auricular Confession and Popish Nunneries
William Hogan
If a man wants to do a mean action, let him not select a woman to victimize.
Rose Clark
Fanny Fern
I always said he had no business to victimize her, and I am sure of it now!
The Young Step-Mother
Charlotte M. Yonge
There is a luxury in the idea that on the morrow you will start fresh game, and victimize your tailor for another.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXVIII. February, 1843. Vol. LIII.
Various

British Dictionary definitions for victimize

victimize

victimise

verb (tr)

to punish or discriminate against selectively or unfairly
to make a victim of
to kill as or in a manner resembling a sacrificial victim

Derived Formsvictimization or victimisation, nounvictimizer or victimiser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for victimize

1830, from victim + -ize. Related: Victimized; victimizing.