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
The Knicks let Mikal Bridges guard the point of attack during the regular season — an experiment that turned him into the scapegoat for several larger defensive shortcomings and repeatedly exposed his struggles containing opposing lead guards, the NBA’s most talent-rich position.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
Reading Between the Lines Tariffs and trade wars are sometimes scapegoats for companies.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
The actual criterion, however, has tended to be a sort of weak-willed, inoffensive obsequiousness, such that all the countries on the Security Council will approve of you—and can use you as a scapegoat whenever necessary.
—Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The series will ask whether there was one mastermind behind these horrific deaths, or whether that theory is simply a convenient scapegoat in a darker conspiracy and potential cover-up.
—Peter White, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
Reading Between the Lines Tariffs and trade wars are sometimes scapegoats for companies.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
The actual criterion, however, has tended to be a sort of weak-willed, inoffensive obsequiousness, such that all the countries on the Security Council will approve of you—and can use you as a scapegoat whenever necessary.
—Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The series will ask whether there was one mastermind behind these horrific deaths, or whether that theory is simply a convenient scapegoat in a darker conspiracy and potential cover-up.
—Peter White, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
Noun
-
The firefighter victims in the attack were identified at the news conference.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
The unresolved legal process has gripped observers across the United States, resurfacing debates about the death penalty, victims' rights and the responsibilities of prosecutors in high-profile cases.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
It’s been tough to shuffle the pitching rotation, and tough to shuttle guys back and forth from Triple-A to make up for injuries, but the Mets aren’t using injuries as an excuse.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
-
The incident offered Russia an excuse to send in military forces and grab control of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.—
Charles Kupchan,
Foreign Affairs,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
The restaurant has a small ranch where customers can observe a variety of exotic animals, such as Amazon cockatoos, fainting goats and the koi fish, said Silvia Duarte, who owns the business with her husband.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
-
The sea goat is demure and responsible and maintains decorum under pressure.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share