forbidden word: victim
victim
victim, noun
-
a person who suffers from a destructive or injurious action or agency.
A passing motorist offered assistance to the victims of a car accident.
Victims of workplace abuse are encouraged to speak out. -
a person who is deceived or cheated, as by their own emotions or ignorance, by the dishonesty of others, or by some impersonal agency.
I had fully expected the flight to arrive on time, but I was the victim of misplaced confidence.
The swindler’s victims report losing thousands of dollars in the scheme. -
a person or animal sacrificed or regarded as sacrificed.
war victims. -
a living creature sacrificed in religious rites.
Other Word Forms
- victimhood noun
- victimless adjective
- nonvictim noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of victim1
First recorded in 1490–1500 ; from Latin victima “sacrificial animal,” of disputed origin
Related Words
from — Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words. (2025d). In Dictionary.com.
~ ~ ~
example sentences: victim
There was a possibility of more victims being found at sea, he added.
Read more on Barron’s
Most of Boko Haram’s victims until then had been Muslims, often villagers seen as loyal to the government, though the terrorist group had torched and bombed churches and schools.
Read more on The Wall Street Journal
Three victims died on the spot and another died at the hospital, police said.
Read more on BBC
The victim, in her 30s, is in hospital with critical injuries.
Read more on BBC
The situation took another bizarre turn on Friday when Buzzard was taken into custody after she allegedly prevented a victim from leaving a location, according to the sheriff’s office.
Read more on Los Angeles Times
from — underrepresented. (2025). In Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
November 9th, 2025
Salem, Massachusetts
This is one of the words/ phrases you can’t say in the new Trump Regime. See a comprehensive list at the Forbidden Words Project.
image: secret joy © Holly Troy 2025
Discover more from holly troy ~ sacred folly
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
holly troy ~ sacred folly 
First of all I do not like that word, it has to many suggestions to it . In todays society some people play a movie role as being a victim in their 60s never letting their childhood victimization heal or leave because being a victim has worked for an un – deserved benefits. This causes doubt when someone who was truly a victim is interviewed
LikeLike
I have been thinking about this – and am trying to find words to respond (because I have also experienced this – especially as a teacher). I don’t have adequate words yet – it’s so huge.
I am writing and talking to Timothy about it – about having heart and understanding we are all in different places and abilities to cope with life and with trauma – and to also accept, care for, and have boundaries with others who are going through it.
From our conversation, “being loving and compassionate as a rigid discipline can be difficult at times.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Holly, It all is difficult. All we can do is share opinions as to what we have seen work for others and what has worked for us personally as each person has a little different circumstance. On this topic generalization does not work.
LikeLike
Yes, we are all individual and all connected.
It’s such a deep topic that even trying to put a dictionary definition to it creates emotional responses.
Words connected to “victim” that have come up:
Blaming
Anger
Empathy
Identification
Help
Rescue
Finger pointing
Condescension
Gaslighting
Belittling
Deriding
Ridiculing
Worry
Sorrow
Frustration
Guilt
Helplessness
Hopelessness
Violence
Virginia Guiffre
Death
Assault
Lying
Stealing
Hiding
Cover-up
Deflection
Distraction
Normalizing
“Boys-Will-be-boys”
Child
Money
Greed
Power
Fear
Compassion . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Criminals don’t want/ to see themselves as evil, / as victimizers
LikeLiked by 1 person