victimize

verb

ˈvik-tə-ˌmīz How to pronounce victimize (audio)
Definition of victimizenext
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats victimized by a confidence man with a slick story

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of victimize Penalties may be increased if the suspect is a repeat offender or if children are victimized. — Peter D'oench, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 At a bail hearing, Manz denied assaulting anyone and said the video evidence supported he had been victimized. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026 In the category of personal crimes, measured by number of victims and not incidents, there have 528 people victimized compared to 474 for the same time period last year, a difference of 54 cases. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Raise your hand if you’ve been victimized by the summertime jump scare that is a molting cardinal. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for victimize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for victimize
  1. cheat
  2. pluck
  3. squeeze
  4. sting
  5. hustle
  6. deceive
  7. screw
  8. defraud
Verb
  • Written and rendered by dudes who longed for unlimited success, these are songs about cheating and being cheated on and trying but failing to be content, or love as lived amid capitalist indulgence.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Cheaters gonna cheat The first step was creating a message board that allowed the agents to pass notes to each other.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheat
Verb
  • The Muir swivel chair in oxblood velvet feels plucked out of a Hollywood Regency–style boutique hotel lobby.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Even in high school, Lane could effortlessly pluck a ball out of the air with either hand.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pluck
Verb
  • These portable, lightweight bands squeeze easily into a suitcase and can be used to add resistance to body weight exercises.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Job seekers in South Florida are navigating a tricky mix of stubborn inflation, high interest rates and an AI shift that’s squeezing entry-level hiring.
    — Jessica Lipscomb, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • As a young Black woman, the betrayal stung as much as a rejection by any guy.
    — Sarah Jones, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The bugs, particularly ticks, ants, mosquitoes and stinging insects, are going to take full advantage thanks to warmer temperatures, according to the National Pest Management Associations (NPMA)'s biannual Bug Barometer®.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sting
Verb
  • Jake Mangum singled to left but rookie Joshua Baez misplayed it and then didn’t hustle after it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Officers hustled the residents, including the children, out of the home, while Walsh and the second officer found the suspect hiding in a bathroom.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hustle
Verb
  • Your eyes aren't deceiving you — the little delivery robots rolling down Washington DC streets are becoming a more common sight.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Jury Duty has managed to deceive two unsuspecting do-gooders with civic duty and a company retreat.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • My husband recently screwed over his business partner by taking significantly more of the profit for himself.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The screwworm gets its name from the maggots’ habit of burrowing — or screwing — into a wound, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
    — Fabiola Sánchez, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of screw
Verb
  • Operation Riptide was launched in June to combat cybercrime, which defrauded Americans out of more than $20 billion last year, according to the FBI.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • On May 15, the EKL learned that scammers, acting through their chief accountant, defrauded their Swedbank and SEB bank accounts of nearly $800,000 in government subsidies via an elaborate scheme disguised as salary payments.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of defraud

Browse Nearby Words

victim
victimize
victimized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Victimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/victimize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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