victimnoun [ C ]
uk/ˈvɪk.tɪm/us/ˈvɪk.təm/B2 someone or something that has been hurt, damaged, or killed or has suffered, either because of the actions of someone or something else, or because of illness or chance:
to provide financial aid to hurricane/flood, etc. victims
victims of crime
The children are the innocent/helpless victims of the fighting.
The new drug might help save the lives of cancer victims.
We appear to have been the victims of a cruel practical joke.
Our local hospital has become the latest victim of the cuts in government spending.
fall victim to sth
to be hurt, damaged, or killed because of something or someone:
In 1948, Gandhi fell victim to a member of a Hindu gang.
The company has fallen victim to increased competition.
More examples
- The murderer had lured his victim to a deserted house.
- She claimed to have been a victim of child abuse.
- They're launching an appeal to raise money for famine victims.
- Road accident victims make up almost a quarter of the hospital's patients.
- The victim had received repeated blows to the head and body.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Medical treatment: people who receive medical treatment
- admission
- asthmatic
- case
- casualty
- convalescent
- day patient
- donor
- dying
- epileptic
- geriatric
- injured
- inpatient
- invalid 1
- outpatient
- patient
- PWA
- sick
- sufferer
- under
- wounded
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Experiencing and suffering
Injuring and injuries
Idiom(s)
be a victim of your own success