Victim — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈvik-təm/ vic·tim

Meaning & Definition of Victim

Victim (noun)

  1. one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent
  2. one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions
  3. one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment

Victim (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person or thing harmed, lost, or destroyed

    "helped the victims of the fire"

    similar: casualty, fatality, loss, prey
    related: loser, underdog, martyr, sacrifice, collateral damage, murderee
    near: gainer, victor, winner, harmer, injurer, assassin, killer, murderer

  2. a person or thing that is the object of abuse, criticism, or ridicule

    "the victim of schoolyard teasing"

    similar: butt, mark, prey, sitting duck, target
    related: laughingstock, mockery, pilgarlic, lightning rod, fall guy, goat, scapegoat, whipping boy
    near: gossip, gossiper, talebearer, tattler, tattletale, troublemaker, defamer, libeler, libelist, traducer, baiter, heckler, needler, ribber, taunter, tease, teaser, tormentor, torturer, derider, insulter, mocker, ridiculer, scoffer, scorner, caricaturist, lampooner, parodist, satirist

  3. something offered to a god

    "the Aztecs are believed to have sacrificed thousands of victims annually to the sun"

    similar: immolation, offering, sacrifice
    related: libation, oblation, propitiation, holocaust, contribution, donation

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Victim

The most common words with a similar meaning to Victim:

casualty, fatality, loss, prey, butt, mark, sitting duck, target, immolation, offering, sacrifice

Related Words for Victim

loser, underdog, martyr, collateral damage, murderee, laughingstock, mockery, pilgarlic, lightning rod, fall guy, goat, scapegoat, whipping boy, libation, oblation, propitiation, holocaust, contribution, donation

Near Antonyms of Victim

gainer, victor, winner, harmer, injurer, assassin, killer, murderer, gossip, gossiper, talebearer, tattler, tattletale, troublemaker, defamer, libeler, libelist, traducer, baiter, heckler, needler, ribber, taunter, tease, teaser, tormentor, torturer, derider, insulter, mocker

Word Forms of Victim

Derived words: victimhood (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Victim

Latin victima; perhaps akin to Old High German wīh holy

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Victim

Words & Phrases Containing Victim

victim mentality, fall victim to, fashion victim

Frequently Asked Questions about Victim

What does "Victim" mean?

"Victim" means one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent. As a noun, it is defined as: one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Victim"?

Other words for "Victim" include casualty, fatality, loss, prey, butt, mark, sitting duck and target. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Victim" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Victim"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Victim". Common alternatives include casualty, fatality, loss, prey, butt, mark, sitting duck, target, immolation and offering.

How do you use "Victim" in a sentence?

Examples of "Victim" in a sentence: "helped the victims of the fire"; "the victim of schoolyard teasing"; "the Aztecs are believed to have sacrificed thousands of victims annually to the sun".

Is "Victim" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Victim" is a noun.

Is "Victim" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Victim" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Victim"?

"Victim" is pronounced /ˈvik-təm/ and divided into syllables as vic·tim.

What is the origin of the word "Victim"?

"Victim" comes from Latin victima; perhaps akin to Old High German wīh holy. First known use: 15th century.