Narcissists have a knack for pulling the strings, especially when they smell vulnerability. They’re experts at spotting the types of people they can manipulate and bully without much resistance.

It’s not always obvious at first because narcissists don’t announce their intentions. But once you know the patterns, it’s a lot easier to spot them.

The key is recognizing the personality traits they target and understanding why those traits are appealing to them.

In this article, we’re going to break down the seven types of people that narcissists love to push around.

Whether you recognize yourself in one of these descriptions or see someone you care about, the goal is the same: awareness. Because once you see it, you can stop it.

Let’s dive in. 

1) People with low self-esteem

First up, narcissists thrive off of control and power, and they find it easiest to assert this over those with low self-esteem.

If you’re someone who’s constantly doubting your self-worth, you may unfortunately be a perfect target for a narcissist’s manipulative tactics.

The reasons are twofold. Firstly, people with low self-esteem tend to be more dependent on others for validation. Narcissists love this because they can feed off of it to build themselves up while pushing you down even further.

Secondly, individuals with low self-esteem are less likely to stand up for themselves. This makes it easier for the narcissist to maintain control and keep the person in their grasp.

Being aware of this can help in recognizing and resisting such toxic behaviors. We should all remember that everyone deserves respect and kindness, regardless of their self-perception.

2) Empaths

I can’t help but recall my own experiences when it comes to this point. As someone who is naturally empathetic, I was an ideal target for narcissistic manipulation.

Empaths are people who feel and absorb other people’s emotions as if they were their own. This makes them extremely compassionate and understanding, but also leaves them vulnerable to manipulation.

In my case, I found myself constantly drawn into the emotional turmoil of a close friend. She had a knack for making her problems seem like the center of the universe, and I felt obliged to help, often at the expense of my own well-being.

Unfortunately, I ended up being taken advantage of and stuck in a toxic and draining relationship. 

It’s important for empaths to understand that it’s okay to set boundaries and protect their own emotional health. No one should be allowed to take advantage of your empathy.

3) People-pleasers

People-pleasers are another group that narcissists commonly target. These individuals have an inherent desire to make others happy, often at the expense of their own needs and desires.

According to psychologists, people-pleasers aren’t necessarily doing it out of pure altruism. They’re often motivated by a fear of conflict and a need for approval.

Narcissists can easily exploit this trait. They see a people-pleaser’s accommodating nature as an opportunity to assert control and get what they want without having to consider the other person’s feelings or needs.

Therefore, if you find yourself constantly trying to please others, be aware of this potential vulnerability. Remember, it’s important to consider your own needs and stand up for yourself too.

4) The overly loyal

Overly loyal people stick by others no matter what, even when it’s clear they’re not being treated with the same respect.

Their sense of duty and commitment often keeps them in one-sided relationships far longer than they should be.

Loyalty is a beautiful trait, but when it’s not paired with healthy boundaries, it can become a trap — one that narcissists are all too happy to exploit.

Narcissists love this trait because it guarantees a steady supply of attention, support, and validation. They know that no matter how poorly they behave, an overly loyal person will stay and try to “fix” the relationship.

This gives the narcissist free rein to act selfishly without fear of being held accountable or abandoned.

The longer someone stays loyal, the more power the narcissist gains, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.

It’s not loyalty that’s the problem — it’s misplaced loyalty. Learning to reserve that loyalty for people who genuinely value and respect it is key to breaking free from a narcissist’s hold.

5) The overly trusting 

Similarly, trust is a beautiful thing. But like loyalty, when it’s given too freely, it can be exploited. I’ve learned this the hard way.

Certain individuals naturally have a tendency to see the best in others and take people at their word. While this is a lovely quality, it can also make them an easy target for narcissists.

Narcissists can sense when someone is overly trusting and will often use this to their advantage. They know they can spin stories, make hollow promises, and bend the truth without being questioned.

It’s a tough lesson to learn, but not everyone has your best interests at heart. It’s important to balance trust with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially when dealing with individuals who have shown manipulative tendencies in the past.

6) Non-confrontational individuals

Non-confrontational people are those who avoid conflict at all costs.

They’d rather keep the peace than rock the boat, even when they’re being treated unfairly. The discomfort of a confrontation feels bigger than the discomfort of quietly enduring mistreatment.

Narcissists see this as an open invitation. They know they can push boundaries, make unreasonable demands, and behave inappropriately without being called out.

Why? Because a non-confrontational person is more likely to stay silent to “keep the peace.”

This makes it easy for a narcissist to maintain control, knowing their actions won’t be challenged.

7) Codependents

The final group narcissists often target are codependents. These are individuals who have a tendency to form relationships where they’re overly reliant on the other person for their emotional or psychological well-being.

In a codependent relationship, the narcissist becomes the center of the codependent’s universe.

They can control, manipulate, and belittle without fear of losing the relationship because the codependent person feels they can’t function without them.

The most crucial thing to understand here is that this is not a healthy or balanced relationship.

If you find yourself in a codependent situation, it’s important to seek help.

Remember, everyone deserves to be in a relationship where they’re valued, respected, and treated with kindness.

Conclusion

If there’s one thing to take away, it’s this: being targeted by a narcissist doesn’t mean you’re weak — it means you have qualities they see as useful for their own gain.

For example, traits like empathy, loyalty, and patience aren’t flaws, but they can become vulnerabilities if someone takes advantage of them.

The good news? Awareness is power. Once you recognize the types of people narcissists are drawn to, you can protect yourself by setting stronger boundaries and standing firm when someone tries to manipulate you.

You don’t have to change who you are — you just have to be more intentional about who you allow into your life.