1
: one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent
the schools are victims of the social system
: such as
a(1)
: one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions
a victim of cancer
a victim of the auto crash
a murder victim
(2)
: one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment
a frequent victim of political attacks
b
: one that is tricked or duped
a con man's victim
2
: a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious rite
Examples of victim in a Sentence
the victims of a hoax
He was the victim of an error.
Recent Examples on the Web
In this instance, the victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim.
—
Nia Bowers, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Michelle Pleasant, an Irvington resident and co-organizer of Safe Routes to School Irvington, became an advocate after Crutchfield’s death, working with the victim's mother.
—Daryl Perry, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Shostakovich is reduced to a hapless victim of circumstance, incapable of speaking in an independent voice.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Javier Alvares-Garcia, 50, was the victim of a shooting that took place at 2400 South Pulaski Street, according to a news release from the Police Department.
—Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for victim 
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Nia Bowers, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Michelle Pleasant, an Irvington resident and co-organizer of Safe Routes to School Irvington, became an advocate after Crutchfield’s death, working with the victim's mother.
—Daryl Perry, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Shostakovich is reduced to a hapless victim of circumstance, incapable of speaking in an independent voice.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Javier Alvares-Garcia, 50, was the victim of a shooting that took place at 2400 South Pulaski Street, according to a news release from the Police Department.
—Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for victim
Dictionary Entries Near victim
Cite this Entry
“Victim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
victim
noun
vic·tim
ˈvik-təm 
1
: a living being offered as a sacrifice in a religious rite
2
: an individual injured or killed (as by disease or accident)
3
: a person cheated, fooled, or harmed by another
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