crime victim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crime victim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an individual who has suffered harm or loss as a result of a criminal act. Example: "The crime victim bravely testified against her attacker in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The book is not intended to be a dispassionate discourse on victimization but rather an informative, moving and deeply honest memoir of a crime victim.

The New York Times - Books

He was a crime victim himself.

The New York Times

Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

Cornell University

Reich regarded them with the wariness of a crime victim whose assailant is still at large.

The New Yorker

Eventually, he added, the crime victim would give up and leave.

The New York Times

It also provided the perfect way to dispose of a crime victim.

The New York Times - Travel

In Alabama, a pardon application requires a DNA test and notification to the crime victim.

The New York Times

Another song confronts the death of a young soldier or crime victim.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Some forces admitted they did not always record the faith of a religious hate-crime victim.

The Guardian

The gay hate-crime victim in "As Good as It Gets.

Los Angeles Times

When she was 17, Amy received her first crime-victim notice from the Justice Department.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone who has experienced a crime, use the phrase "crime victim" with sensitivity and respect. Provide resources and support information when appropriate.

Common error

Do not assume that all "crime victims" experience the same emotions or require the same support. Individualize your approach and avoid stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crime victim" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object within a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, this term correctly identifies an individual who has suffered harm due to a criminal act.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crime victim" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone who has suffered harm due to a crime. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts. The term appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic and scientific publications, demonstrating its broad applicability. When using "crime victim", it's important to remember to approach the topic with sensitivity and avoid generalizations, acknowledging the unique experience of each individual. Related phrases such as "victim of a crime" or "survivor of a crime" can be used to add nuance, depending on the specific message you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Victim of a crime

Reorders the words, emphasizing the act rather than the person's identity.

Target of a crime

Focuses on the intentionality of the crime, suggesting the person was specifically chosen.

Survivor of a crime

Emphasizes resilience and overcoming the traumatic experience.

Injured party

Highlights the harm caused to the person by the crime.

Affected individual

Broadly describes someone impacted by the crime, not necessarily physically harmed.

Complainant

Highlights the person's role in reporting the crime to authorities.

Sufferer of a criminal act

Emphasizes the suffering and injustice experienced.

Harmed person

Simple and direct, focusing on the fact that the person experienced harm.

Aggrieved party

Indicates that the person has grounds for complaint or legal action.

Prey of criminal activity

Highlights the vulnerability and helplessness of the person.

FAQs

How do I use "crime victim" in a sentence?

Use "crime victim" to refer to a person who has suffered harm or loss as a result of a criminal act. For example: "The "crime victim" testified in court."

What's a more formal alternative to "crime victim"?

A more formal alternative is "victim of a crime". You could also use "injured party" in certain contexts to focus on damages and harm suffered.

Is it appropriate to use "survivor" instead of "crime victim"?

While "survivor" can be appropriate, it emphasizes resilience and overcoming the trauma. Use it when you want to highlight the person's strength. Otherwise, "crime victim" is a neutral and generally suitable term.

Can I say "offense victim" instead of "crime victim"?

"Offense victim" is a less common but grammatically acceptable alternative. However, ""crime victim"" is more widely recognized and preferred in most contexts.