Victim: meaning, definitions and examples

This is a repeat and should be ignored as it is already covered in the first entry.

Typically used in legal contexts to describe a person who has been wronged or harmed by another party, often in a civil lawsuit.

• The injured party filed a lawsuit for compensation
• The contract breach left the injured party seeking damages

Refers to someone or something selected as an aim of an attack, criticism, or focus, either in a physical or metaphorical sense.

• The company was the target of a cyber attack
• She felt targeted by her coworkers' criticism

Commonly used in the context of animals, where it refers to an organism that is hunted and eaten by another. It can also metaphorically describe a person who is easily exploited or deceived.

• The lion stalked its prey through the grass
• He became easy prey for the scam artists

Refers to someone who has been harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event. Can also have a negative connotation by implying helplessness.

• She was the victim of a robbery.
• The earthquake victims are receiving aid from various organizations.

Describes someone who is enduring pain or hardship, often due to illness or a challenging situation. It focuses on the ongoing experience of suffering.

• He is a long-term sufferer of arthritis.
• Attention should be given to the sufferers of chronic diseases.

Typically used in the context of accidents, disasters, or wars, indicating someone who has been injured or killed. It often implies a large-scale event with multiple affected individuals.

• There were several casualties in the train derailment.
• The battle resulted in hundreds of casualties.

Refers to someone who has lived through a difficult or life-threatening event. It has a positive connotation, emphasizing resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.

• She is a cancer survivor.
• The survivors of the plane crash were rescued by the coast guard.

Used to describe someone who has been harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action. This word often carries a connotation of helplessness or innocence.

• The victim of the car crash was taken to the hospital immediately.
• She was a victim of identity theft.

Describes someone who is receiving medical treatment, usually in a hospital or from a doctor. Neutral and commonly used in medical settings.

• The patient was recovering well after the surgery.
• The doctor sees twenty patients a day.

Refers to someone who is experiencing pain, distress, or hardship, often due to a chronic condition or prolonged situation. The term emphasizes the person's experience of suffering.

• She is a long-term sufferer of arthritis.
• Many sufferers of mental health issues find it difficult to get the help they need.

Refers to a person made weak or disabled by illness or injury. This term is often seen as outdated and can have negative connotations, implying that the person is incapable or of lesser value.

• After the accident, he was an invalid and needed constant care.
• In the 19th century, many people who were chronically ill were referred to as invalids.