What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
martyr
Example
The activist was willing to become a martyr for the cause of human rights. [martyr: noun]
Example
She martyred herself for the sake of her family's safety. [martyred: past tense verb]
victim
Example
The victim of the robbery reported the incident to the police. [victim: noun]
Example
She felt like a victim of circumstances beyond her control. [victim: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Victim is more commonly used than martyr in everyday language. Victim is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while martyr is less common and is often associated with religious or political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between martyr and victim?
While martyr is typically associated with a formal or religious tone, victim is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.