victimize

[ vik-tuh-mahyz ]

/ ˈvɪk təˌmaɪz /

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See synonyms for: victimize / victimized / victimization / victimizer 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR victimize

2 defraud, fool, hoodwink, beguile.

See synonyms for victimize on Thesaurus.com

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Also especially British, vic·tim·ise .

Origin of victimize

First recorded in1820–30; victim + -ize

synonym study for victimize

2. See cheat.

OTHER WORDS FROM victimize

vic·tim·i·za·tion

[vik-tuh-muh-zey-shuhn] /ˌvɪk tə məˈzeɪ ʃən/ nounvic·tim·iz·er, nounun·vic·tim·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use victimize in a sentence

She has received too many letters from bridesmaids who have been sorely taken advantage of and does not wish to see you victimized any more than necessary.
Miss Manners: Sorry, receptionists aren’t going to remember your name|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
For example, we are often hired by companies who have been victimized by what appear to be short-sellers and tweets online that are posted anonymously that essentially seem to be bad-mouthing a company.
A journalist-turned-detective on how corporate America depends on private sleuths|Jeremy Kahn|October 31, 2020|Fortune
Bowman did not immediately report to the police because she felt as though she would be re-victimized and silenced.
The Bill Cosby Controversy Stages of Grief|Amy Zimmerman|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Claims that American Christians are unfairly victimized, attacked, and persecuted continue.
‘Persecuted’ Is the Christian Right’s Paranoid Wet Dream|Candida Moss|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

When women are seen as a source of honor, they risk being doubly victimized.
How India’s Honor Culture Perpetuates Mass Rape|Amana Fontanella-Khan|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Raise your hand if you have ever been personally victimized by Secret.
The App Bringing Out The Best/Worst in Washington’s Gays|Scott Bixby|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nor is it surprising, sadly, to hear of a single person victimized by multiple offenders.
Pamela Anderson Shatters the ‘Good’ Rape Myth|Amanda Marcotte|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet, among the whole shipload of rogues, the only man who victimized us was Titoff, the chief engineer.
Eastern Nights - and Flights|Alan Bott
The woman thief was victimized less universally than the others because she was known to be the bo'sun's especial graft.
Eastern Nights - and Flights|Alan Bott
He was still glowing with wrath over the method by which he had been victimized into giving the girl a hearing.
Within the Law|Marvin Dana
We soon came in sight of the black stumpy monuments of one of the most disastrous conflagrations which ever victimized a forest.
Lands of the Slave and the Free|Henry A. Murray
He was the first martyr to the Laird of McNab's despotism, and he was thus victimized as an example to the rest.
The Last Laird of MacNab|Various

British Dictionary definitions for victimize

victimize

victimise

/ (ˈvɪktɪˌmaɪz) /

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 forms of victimize

victimization 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

victimize

OTHER WORDS FOR victimize

Origin of victimize

synonym study for victimize

OTHER WORDS FROM victimize

Words related to victimize

How to use victimize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for victimize

victimise

Derived forms of victimize