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 results confirmed that ancient Egyptians frequently used cow glue, as well as collagens derived from sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and antelope. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026 Animal foods included fish, sheep, goats, cattle, boars, birds, hare, and other wild game. Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026 At one point, the show’s writers penned a bit that included a goat, but in rewrites the animal was taken out. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 With the right approach — time, money, fertilizer, water, novenas, voodoo, sacrificing a goat — these hardest plants to keep alive will delight you for a long time — at least one or two weeks. Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for goat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goat
Noun
  • The victims and the first responders were honored before the game.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • In practice, though, victims of instant-payment fraud often recover little.
    Pawan Jain, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Sara Amundson, president of the Humane World Action Fund, called wolves a scapegoat for broader challenges facing ranchers.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Yes, the Algorithm is telling her that using Bernard as a scapegoat will help unify the silo and tamp down the growing unrest.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Arteta and Arsenal had no need for excuses this time around, though, with Martin Odegaard scoring a late winner after a convincing team performance at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That’s not to make excuses, but to put in context, what is also a sputtering, screwball-y film about masculine roles in a waning patriarchal society.
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Goat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goat. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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