victimize
C1Formal, academic, journalistic, legal. Less common in casual conversation than 'pick on' or 'bully'.
Definition
Meaning
To make someone a victim; to subject someone to cruel or unfair treatment, especially intentionally.
To target someone for abuse, exploitation, or discrimination; to treat someone unjustly by singling them out for harm, blame, or punishment. Can also refer to the psychological act of adopting a victim identity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies an imbalance of power where the victimizer holds power over the victim. It strongly connotes intention, unfairness, and often repeated actions. The subject (the one victimizing) is the perpetrator; the object is the sufferer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling difference is primary: BrE prefers 'victimise', AmE 'victimize'. Both forms are understood in each region. The concept is used identically.
Connotations
Identical in both variants. It carries a strong negative charge, associated with serious social, legal, or moral wrongdoing.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in AmE, particularly in legal, psychological, and social justice contexts. The term 'victim culture' or 'victim mentality' is also more prevalent in AmE discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] victimizes [Object (person/group)][Subject] victimizes [Object] for [Reason][Subject] victimizes [Object] by [Means/Activity]Passive: [Object] feels/is victimizedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A victim of circumstance”
- “Play the victim card”
- “Fall victim to (something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to unfair treatment of employees, whistleblowers, or minority groups within a corporate structure (e.g., 'Employees claimed the manager would victimize those who reported safety issues').
Academic
Used in sociology, psychology, criminology, and law to describe processes of social exclusion, bullying, discrimination, or scapegoating.
Everyday
Used to describe being treated unfairly by a bully, a biased system, or a scam artist (e.g., 'The scam victimized hundreds of elderly people').
Technical
In law, it describes the act of making someone the object of a crime. In psychology, it can refer to the dynamics in abusive relationships.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The gang would often victimise newcomers to the estate.
- She felt she was being victimised for her political views.
- The report examines how systems can inadvertently victimise the most vulnerable.
American English
- Bullies often victimize those they perceive as weak.
- The new policy was accused of victimizing single parents.
- He claimed the media was trying to victimize him.
adverb
British English
- He was treated victimisingly by his peers. (rare, awkward)
- The system operates victimisingly. (rare, awkward)
American English
- She was acting victimizingly towards her staff. (rare, awkward)
- The law was applied victimizingly. (rare, awkward)
adjective
British English
- The victimised workers sought union support. (victimised)
- A victimising management style leads to high turnover. (victimising)
American English
- Victimized individuals may suffer from long-term trauma. (victimized)
- The victimizing behavior of the official was documented. (victimizing)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The big boy tried to victimise the small boy.
- It is wrong to victimise someone.
- Children should learn not to victimise their classmates.
- She felt victimised by her boss's constant criticism.
- The regime was known to victimise political dissidents and journalists.
- Some argue that overly protective laws can victimise people by treating them as helpless.
- The study analyses how bureaucratic processes can systematically victimise marginalised communities.
- He argued that portraying an entire group as perpetually victimised can hinder its agency and progress.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'VICTIM' is the core. To 'victim-ize' someone is to *make them into* a victim.
Conceptual Metaphor
TREATING PEOPLE AS OBJECTS (for suffering); SOCIAL INTERACTION AS WARFARE (with perpetrators and casualties).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'victoria' (победа).
- The Russian 'виктимизировать' is a direct loanword but is highly formal/technical. In many contexts, a phrase like 'преследовать', 'издеваться над (кем-либо)', 'делать жертвой' is more natural.
- Avoid using it as a general synonym for 'harm' or 'hurt'; it specifically implies making someone a *victim* of intentional, unfair treatment.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He victimized' – incorrect; needs an object: 'He victimized *them*').
- Confusing 'victimize' (to make a victim) with 'victory' or 'victorious' (to win).
- Misspelling: 'victimise' vs. 'victimize'.
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'bully' or 'pick on' would suffice.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'victimize' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Bully' is more specific to interpersonal aggression, often among peers (especially children). 'Victimize' is broader, more formal, and can apply to systems, governments, or scams causing harm. All bullying victimizes, but not all victimization is bullying.
Typically, yes. It strongly implies deliberate targeting for unfair treatment. However, in sociological contexts, systems or policies can 'unintentionally victimize' groups through biased structures.
No. It is exclusively negative, describing harmful, unjust actions. Using it positively (e.g., 'victimized by good luck') is incorrect and oxymoronic.
The primary noun is 'victimization' (AmE) / 'victimisation' (BrE). A person who victimizes others is a 'victimizer'/'victimiser'.