Have you met someone who feels like they’re always the unlucky one, that bad things happen to them more than anyone else? They might act like they’re always getting the short end of the stick, even when it’s not the case.
This is often called playing the victim. But, are there other ways to describe someone who behaves this way? Absolutely!
Let’s explore 12 words that perfectly describe a person who plays the victim. Knowing these terms can help you spot this behavior in others, or maybe even in yourself.
12 Terms to Describe Someone Who Plays the Victim
- Manipulator
- Self-pitying
- Victim mentality
- Coward
- Poor-me
- Martyr complex
- Persecution complex
- Narcissistic
- Crybully
- Crybaiter
- Blame-shifter
- Drama Queen/King
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- People with a victim mentality believe they are perpetually targeted and have no control over their lives.
- Manipulators play the victim to control or influence others, often to their own advantage.
- Cowards, poor-me’s, and people with self-pity or victim mentality use victimhood to avoid facing challenges and taking responsibility for their actions.
Among all the words that can describe someone who acts like a victim, some are more striking than others.
Here, we’re spotlighting the top five terms that paint a picture of how those who often view or present themselves as victims behave.
Whether it’s dodging responsibility or trying to win sympathy, these words will help you express the subtleties of playing the victim.
Victim mentality
Someone with a victim mentality often feels like they’re are always the target of other people’s bad actions or bad luck.
They typically think they have no say over their own life and always point fingers at others for their issues. This mindset can leave them feeling powerless and trapped.
In extreme situations, a person with this mentality might not even attempt to better their circumstances because they believe it won’t change anything. If you know someone like this, you might find they frequently discuss their misfortunes and how they’re never to blame.
To learn how to use “victim mentality” in a sentence, look over these examples:
“The manager has a victim mentality. He is always pointing fingers at others.“
“John’s constant complaints about his workload reveal a victim mentality.“
“His victim mentality prevents him from taking responsibility for his actions.“
“She often uses her victim mentality as an excuse not to try new things.“
“His victim mentality is evident in the way he talks about his failed relationships, never acknowledging his own faults.“
Self-pitying
When you meet someone who feels sorry for themselves all the time, they might be the self-pitying type of personality.
This means they spend a lot of their energy feeling sad about their own troubles. Instead of looking for solutions or seeing the positive side, they focus on their problems and how hard life is for them.
A self-pitying person might talk a lot about their difficulties and seek attention or sympathy from others. They might not see how their attitude affects the people around them or how it stops them from making their lives better.
You can refer to these examples to learn how it works in a sentence:
“She’s quite self-pitying, always seeing herself as the victim in every situation.“
“Despite his many talents, he remains self-pitying and refuses to see his potential.“
“Her self-pitying attitude often overshadows her ability to find solutions.“
“He has a habit of being self-pitying whenever things don’t go his way.“
“The conversation was filled with his self-pitying tales of misfortune, leaving no room for positivity.“
Manipulator
If you see someone who always seems to get their way by making others feel bad for them, they might be using manipulation.
A manipulator is a person who skillfully sways or controls others for their own benefit. They frequently act the victim and use this strategy to draw sympathy or assistance from those around them.
This kind of individual might bend the truth or make up stories to make themselves look like they are always being mistreated. By doing so, they can dodge accountability and make others feel guilty or take responsibility for their issues.
Here are a few examples of using “manipulator” in conversation:
“He is a manipulator, always playing the victim to get what he wants.“
“She’s a master manipulator, using her tears to sway people’s opinions.“
“She’s such a manipulator, always making others feel guilty for her mistakes.“
“Despite his charming demeanor, he’s a manipulator who knows how to play the victim card.“
Coward
In life, you might come across people who continuously paint themselves as victims. These individuals are often labeled as ‘cowards’.
A coward, in this sense, isn’t just someone who is scared; it’s a person who consistently avoids dealing with challenges. They frequently act or feel like a victim, which can make them appear feeble or frightened when problems arise.
Cowards usually avoid challenges instead of trying to overcome them. If you know someone who constantly points fingers at others and doesn’t assert themselves, even when it’s necessary, they might be behaving like a coward.
You can refer to these examples to learn how it works in a sentence:
“He is a coward, always hiding behind the victim role instead of facing his problems.“
“She acts like a coward, using her perceived victimhood to escape criticism.“
“His cowardly behavior often surfaces when he plays the victim to avoid difficult situations.“
“Instead of confronting the issue, she behaves like a coward and pretends to be the victim.“
“He’s such a coward, always playing the victim to evade taking responsibility for his actions.“
Poor-me
‘Poor-me’ is a term you might have come across, often used to describe someone who regularly indulges in self-pity and portrays themselves as the victim
When you engage with someone showing a ‘poor-me’ mindset, you’ll find that they habitually point fingers at others for their hardships. They feel the world is conspiring against them and they’re always on the receiving end of misfortune or hostility. They flourish on sympathy, seeking attention or dodging responsibility by playing the victim card.
Here are a few examples that can explain the meaning and use of this term:
“John has a poor-me attitude, always blaming others for his problems.“
“She exhibits a poor-me mentality to avoid taking responsibility for her actions.“
“His poor-me approach is his way of seeking attention and sympathy.“
“Instead of trying to find solutions, she prefers to indulge in poor-me behavior.“
“He’s caught in the poor-me trap, constantly feeling that the world is against him.“
To wrap up, getting to know these 12 terms can help you spot when someone is constantly acting the victim. Advise those ensnared in the ‘poor-me’ loop to seek expert advice, learn from their past, and own up to their deeds. Remember, we all encounter hurdles, but it’s our reaction to them that truly shapes who we are.
