victimized by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "victimized by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone who has been treated unfairly or harmed by someone or something else. For example: The children were victimized by their abusive parents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Being victimized by boys correlated.39 (p < .01) with victimization by girls.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

But victimized by whom?

The New York Times - Sports

I cannot be victimized by hatred.

The New York Times

He feels "victimized by the miraculous".

The New York Times - Books

He wasn't victimized by the thing.

The New York Times

Amid all this, Haiti seems almost uniquely victimized by nature.

The New Yorker

The Penguins were victimized by some bad luck.

The New York Times - Sports

They also, she said, feel victimized by "Europe" and immigration.

The New York Times

In some measure, it was victimized by its own influence.

The New Yorker

Members of those minorities consistently felt victimized by the police.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Manville's neighbor Bound Brook has also been victimized by flooding.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that it is clear who or what is doing the victimizing. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the agent of victimization.

Common error

Avoid using "victimized by" when the situation involves personal responsibility or natural consequences. It's more appropriate when an external agent is directly responsible for the harm suffered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "victimized by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has experienced harm or injustice caused by an external agent. Ludwig shows many examples where individuals, groups, or entities are presented as the recipients of negative actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "victimized by" is a phrase used to describe the experience of being harmed or treated unfairly by an external force. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While it's appropriate for highlighting injustice, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with the implication of external causation and unfairness. Remember to avoid misattributing victimization to situations involving personal responsibility or natural events. Considering related phrases such as "harmed by" or "subjected to" can provide alternative options depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmed by

Focuses more broadly on any type of harm, not specifically victimization.

abused by

Refers to cruel and violent treatment, often implying a power imbalance.

subjected to

Emphasizes the act of being made to endure something, often unpleasant.

oppressed by

Indicates a prolonged and systematic form of unjust treatment or control.

targeted by

Suggests a deliberate and specific focus of negative actions.

exploited by

Highlights the unfair use of someone for personal gain.

wronged by

Indicates that someone has suffered an injustice.

affected by

Indicates an influence or impact, which may not necessarily be negative.

taken advantage of by

Focuses on the opportunistic exploitation of someone's vulnerability.

injured by

Specifically refers to physical or emotional injury.

FAQs

How can I use "victimized by" in a sentence?

Use "victimized by" to show that someone or something has suffered harm or injustice due to an external force. For example, "The community was "victimized by" the economic downturn".

What's a more formal alternative to "victimized by"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "subjected to", "harmed by", or "affected by" depending on the nuance you want to convey. These options can sound less emotionally charged than ""victimized by"".

Is it always appropriate to use "victimized by"?

No, it's not. "Victimized by" implies an external agent causing unjust harm. If the situation involves personal responsibility or natural consequences, a different phrase may be more accurate. For example, if someone made a bad investment that went wrong, is better to say that they were "affected by" or "impacted by".

What are some subtle differences between "victimized by" and "harmed by"?

"Harmed by" is a broader term that encompasses any kind of damage or injury, whereas ""victimized by"" specifically suggests an unjust or unfair act that causes the harm. The term "victimized" brings an emotional charge and implies that something morally wrong has been done to the object.