scapegoat

noun

ˈskāp-ˌgōt How to pronounce scapegoat (audio)
Definition of scapegoatnext
as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others companies often use the economy as a scapegoat to avoid taking responsibility for dropping sales

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scapegoat These anti-Black attitudes allow politicians to scapegoat Haitians for problems within Dominican society. — Kendall Medford, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 In the ’90s, politicians began blaming video games like Mortal Kombat and Doom for real-world violence, and shooter games have remained a recurring scapegoat ever since. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026 Bad guys vanquished… or at the very least, viable scapegoats neutralized. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026 Refugee groups said military barracks aren’t the right place to house asylum seekers, but cautioned that migrants should not be made scapegoats. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
  1. victim
  2. excuse
  3. goat
Noun
  • The attack shocked the nation, and Jordan declared three days of mourning for the victims.
    — Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • On Sunday, Jordan’s Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah attended a funeral held for the victims while Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited the injured in the hospital earlier.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • No, there's no excuse for the season going off the rails this much.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Rubio warns against delaying transition Speaking on the record during the question-and-answer portion of the call, Rubio insisted that Washington would not allow the institutional reforms to become an excuse for postponing elections indefinitely.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • The family hopes to add chickens and goats when Wagner's work schedule allows more time at home.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The farm houses about 700 chickens, two goats, a sheep, four dogs, several pigs and a highland cow.
    — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of goat

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scaped
scapegoat
scapegoats
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Cite this Entry

“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scapegoat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scapegoat

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