goat 1 of 2

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

2 of 2

phrase

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
In footage of the moment, Milo displays a sweet smile, then the little boy hugs his goat — named Teddy Bear — tightly before planting multiple kisses on the animal. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Its medieval houses nestle beneath colossal rocks, their red roofs peeking out like terracotta petals—while narrow lanes wind past the Chapel of São Pedro de Vir-a-Corça and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria, and scrambling goats graze near crumbling stairways. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 What’s positivity when a goat is always in your face? Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025 Beyond the shore, rent a Mehari to explore the island's lush interior, where goats roam the mountainside. Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for goat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goat
Noun
  • The altercation was captured on CTA surveillance video and cellphone footage taken by the theft victim, according to court documents.
    Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Ten victims will testify on Wednesday, some of whom haven’t spoken since Epstein’s first arrest in 2005.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There's no doubt that Shurmur is now the scapegoat at CU following an atrocious outing for his unit.
    Andrew Hughes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
  • In a statement on Twitter, Maxwell's attorney, David Oscar Markus, alleged that she had only been convicted because the DOJ needed a scapegoat after Epstein died in jail before his case went to trial.
    Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita , David Spunt, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Investors don’t need another earnings call filled with excuses about macro headwinds when the rest of the industry is growing.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • To open flat is without excuse, given the setting.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Goat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goat. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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