# victimized

/ˈvɪktəmaɪzd/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/victimized
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

feeling like you are being treated unfairly or being picked on by someone else. You use this when someone in power makes life difficult for you on purpose.

For teachers: subjected to cruel, unfair, or discriminatory treatment. Often used predicatively to describe the psychological state of a person targeted by systemic or individual harassment.

## Examples

- He felt victimized by his boss's constant criticism.
- The employees felt victimized after the new management implemented strict rules that only applied to their specific department.
- Sociologists argue that individuals from marginalized backgrounds are more likely to feel victimized by institutional policies that appear neutral on the surface but have disparate impacts in practice.

## Pitfalls

- Not "She was victimized from her peers." but "She was victimized by her peers." — The passive-style construction requires the preposition 'by' to identify the agent of the action.

## Usage notes

- Often follows linking verbs like 'feel', 'seem', or 'become'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.