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

Relevance

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 And one congressman, Representative Martin Dies of Texas, saw the FTP as a useful scapegoat in a crusade against any culture that was critical of America’s absolute goodness. Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025 This time, Nixon was one of several scapegoats for a dismal 22-16 Packers loss. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025 Hank becomes a scapegoat, despite having an alibi, echoing a familiar American pattern where innocence offers little protection. Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Dec. 2025 This rang true for many years, as there was no substitute for consulting ‘SaaS’ (‘scapegoat as a service’) — but a reckoning is coming. Big Think, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
Noun
  • The parents of the victims said the boys met Busfield on the set of the Fox series, The Cleaning Lady, after Busfield joined as a director in season 2, according to the arrest warrant.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Orange County has appropriated nearly $500 million to cover possible payouts to victims of the fire, and as of August had paid more than $39 million in settlements so far.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The long weekend is the perfect excuse to indulge in a little retail therapy.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Nordstrom is using the long weekend as an excuse to drop more than 12,000 new winter essentials to its sale section.
    Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Originally a working-class neighborhood of Polish immigrants who raised goats in their yards—leading to the nickname Goat Prairie and later Bucktown—this Chicago enclave has evolved into a mix of independent boutiques and restaurants with a dynamic urban feel.
    Hannah Howard, Midwest Living, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Similarly, cashmere, made from goats’ undercoats, will also shrink when exposed to hot temperatures.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on scapegoat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!