victim
word
Definition
A victim is a person who is harmed, injured, killed, or affected by a crime, accident, violence, disease, or another bad situation. It can also mean someone who is unfairly influenced or targeted by something.
Usage & Nuances
Most commonly used in serious contexts such as crime, accidents, war, abuse, or disasters: 'the victim of a robbery'. It is also common in patterns like 'victim of fraud' or 'fall victim to'. Be careful with 'play the victim', which is negative and means acting as if you are always the harmed person to get sympathy.
Example Sentences
The fire victim lost her home.
basic
The victim called the police after the attack.
basic
He was the victim of a scam.
basic
A lot of people fall victim to online fraud every year.
natural
She’s not a victim here, so stop treating her like one.
natural
He always plays the victim when someone criticizes him.
natural