Definition of goatnext
as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others an unhappy childhood was the goat he used to rationalize every failure and shortcoming

Synonyms & Similar Words

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go at

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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 goat
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 The virus has also been known to infect sheep, goats, horses and alpacas. — Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026 There are goats, pigs, and donkeys, as well as Ringo, an 80-pound African spurred tortoise who came to Georgia from a rescue in New York. — Brian Unger, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for goat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goat
Noun
  • In steady rain and silence, thousands marched in Novi Sad on Sunday in a gesture of respect for the victims.
    — MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • American women, being birthed as special victims with special status, are not.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Trumpworld searched frantically for scapegoats to deflect blame that the electoral bloodbath was a rebuke of the president and his agenda.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
  • DePodesta claims Boutros convinced Boutros' boss, Blanche, and DePodesta's boss, Patel, to make DePodesta the scapegoat for a series of botched Midway Blitz prosecutions.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Heavy rain was a factor, but the Falcons refused to use the weather as an excuse.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • That is no excuse for fans who target the families of college football coaches.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Goat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goat. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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