Definition

1. Verb:
   • To treat someone unfairly or cruelly, especially by making them suffer or by taking advantage of them. This involves subjecting a person to an unjust action, often repeatedly or systematically.
   • To make someone a victim of a crime, deception, or harmful situation. This meaning focuses on the act of causing someone to become a victim.

Usage

• The verb "victimise" (also spelled "victimize") is used to describe the action of the perpetrator, not the experience of the victim. It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the person being victimised).
• It often implies a power imbalance, where one party exploits or persecutes another.
• It is commonly used in contexts discussing bullying, discrimination, fraud, and unfair treatment.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The manager was accused of trying to victimise employees who reported safety violations.
  • Scammers often victimise the elderly by pretending to be from their bank.
  • She felt victimised by the constant gossip and exclusion from her colleagues.

Advanced Usage

• "to victimise someone for something": to punish or target someone unfairly because of a specific characteristic or action.
  • He claimed he was victimised for his political beliefs.
• Passive voice usage: The passive form "to be victimised" is very common, emphasizing the experience of the person harmed.
  • Many people are victimised by online fraud every year.

Variants and Related Words

• Victimiser/Victimizer (noun): A person who victimises others.
  • The police are searching for the victimiser behind the phishing scheme.
• Victimisation/Victimization (noun): The process or act of victimising someone.
  • The report detailed systemic victimisation within the institution.
• Victim (noun): The person who is victimised.
  • The victims of the scam lost their life savings.

Synonyms

• Persecute: To subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race, religion, or political beliefs.
• Exploit: To make use of someone or a situation in an unfair or selfish way.
• Target: To single someone out for criticism, attack, or unfair treatment.
• Mistreat: To treat a person or animal badly, cruelly, or unfairly.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Victimise" itself is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. The action is usually expressed directly.) - To pick on: (informal) To repeatedly criticize, punish, or be unkind to someone weaker. - The older kids used to pick on him at school.

Related Idioms

• To have a target on one's back: To be in a position where one is likely to be attacked, blamed, or victimised.
  • After he spoke out, he felt like he had a target on his back.
• To be thrown to the wolves: To be placed in a situation where one is exposed to harsh criticism or attack without protection.
  • The junior executive was victimised and thrown to the wolves to protect senior management.

Verb

1. punish unjustly
2. make a victim of
   • I was victimized by this con-man