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victimology

American  
[vik-tuh-mol-uh-jee] / ˌvɪk təˈmɒl ə dʒi /

noun

  1. the study of crime victim and the psychological effects of being a victim.


victimology British  
/ ˌvɪktɪˈmɒlədʒɪ /

noun

  1. the study of the psychological effects experienced by the victims of crime

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of victimology

First recorded in 1955–60; from French victimologie; see origin at victim ( def. ), -o-, -logy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Discola studies criminal victimology, a subfield of criminology focused on the victim experience.

From Slate Aug. 7, 2024

He has a tenuous relationship to reality, and increasingly retreats into victimology and a persecution complex.

From Salon Aug. 18, 2023

But the combination of unorthodox marketing and conspiracy theory catnip has made “Sound of Freedom” the perfect focus for another sort of victimology.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 21, 2023

"The victimology really created a problem for the police," noted Furhman.

From Fox News Mar. 30, 2020

Consider the unsettling phenomenon of ubiquitous victimology, in which “the criminals are well hidden but you aren’t.”

From Washington Post Aug. 18, 2016

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