victimize

American  

[vik-tuh-mahyz] / ˈvɪk təˌmaɪz /

especially British, victimise

verb (used with object)

victimized, victimizing

1. to make a victim of.

2. to dupe, swindle, or cheat.

   to victimize poor widows.

   Synonyms:

   beguile, hoodwink, fool, defraud

3. to slay as or like a sacrificial victim.

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victimize British  

/ ˈvɪktɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. to punish or discriminate against selectively or unfairly

2. to make a victim of

3. to kill as or in a manner resembling a sacrificial victim

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Related Words

See cheat.

Other Word Forms

• unvictimized
  adjective
• victimization
  noun
• victimizer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of victimize

First recorded in 1820–30; victim + -ize

Explanation

To victimize is to make someone into a victim by harming or taking advantage of them in some way. A school bully might be known to victimize other kids on the playground. A victim is someone who has had something bad done to them, like the victim of a murder or a burglary. To victimize is to put someone in that position. A serial killer victimizes the people they kill. A swindler victimizes the people they cheat out of money. Abusive parents victimize their children. A football team that cheats victimizes the other team. When you hear about victimizing, you know someone has been hurt.

Related Words

• deceive
• discriminate against
• dupe
• exploit
• persecute
• pick on
• prey on
• sting