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
According to the release, which was last updated on Wednesday, the young victim was airlifted to an ambulance that transported him to the hospital.
—
Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 4 July 2024
An unlicensed Queens hit-and-run driver who crashed into a bicyclist while fleeing an NYPD car stop — leaving the victim clinging to life — is facing a slew of charges, police said Thursday.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 July 2024
Dollar declined to comment on the case Wednesday afternoon, citing time-sensitive legal procedures as a case is built on behalf of the victim.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2024
The organization is asking for donations to help provide fresh meals to the victims by donating at donate.wck.org.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is looking ahead, especially with parts of the U.S. potentially feeling the hurricane's effects next week.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for victim 
Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 4 July 2024
An unlicensed Queens hit-and-run driver who crashed into a bicyclist while fleeing an NYPD car stop — leaving the victim clinging to life — is facing a slew of charges, police said Thursday.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 July 2024
Dollar declined to comment on the case Wednesday afternoon, citing time-sensitive legal procedures as a case is built on behalf of the victim.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2024
The organization is asking for donations to help provide fresh meals to the victims by donating at donate.wck.org.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is looking ahead, especially with parts of the U.S. potentially feeling the hurricane's effects next week.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for victim
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'victim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near victim
Cite this Entry
“Victim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim. Accessed 7 Jul. 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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