as in victims
a person or thing taking the blame for others
an unhappy childhood was the goat he used to rationalize every failure and shortcoming
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Recent Examples of goats
Guests milk goats, walk down hydroponic rows, learn how edible flowers act as pollinators in pesticide-free ecosystems, and sit down for farm-to-table meals meant to spark conversation.
—
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Water receptacles across the facility were reported to be dirty, including a bowl shared by 15 goats, a turkey, seven chickens, a llama and a potbellied pig, which contained brownish-black sediment and thick green algae.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
The program has expanded to include guinea pigs, chickens, doves, goats, turtles and rabbits.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
To pay for her medical bills, the family had to sell most of their remaining cattle and goats, a bitter blow after years of drought had already decimated local herds.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
This can be chickens, goats or sheep.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Wild goats grazed on steep rocky hillsides around the bend from El Vicenc (rates from $240).
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
And, Katie’s Kennel can care for any type of pet, from dogs and cats to bunnies, birds, lizards, chickens and goats.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2026
Beyond the shore, rent a Mehari to explore the island's lush interior, where goats roam the mountainside.
—Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Water receptacles across the facility were reported to be dirty, including a bowl shared by 15 goats, a turkey, seven chickens, a llama and a potbellied pig, which contained brownish-black sediment and thick green algae.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
The program has expanded to include guinea pigs, chickens, doves, goats, turtles and rabbits.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
To pay for her medical bills, the family had to sell most of their remaining cattle and goats, a bitter blow after years of drought had already decimated local herds.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
This can be chickens, goats or sheep.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Wild goats grazed on steep rocky hillsides around the bend from El Vicenc (rates from $240).
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
And, Katie’s Kennel can care for any type of pet, from dogs and cats to bunnies, birds, lizards, chickens and goats.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2026
Beyond the shore, rent a Mehari to explore the island's lush interior, where goats roam the mountainside.
—Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goats
Noun
-
Newsom’s office said Thursday that the state is providing assistance to victims, family members and witnesses of the mosque shooting.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The bodies of two people were found earlier this week, before crews recovered the remains of another six victims on Thursday, May 28, Longview fire chief Brad Hannig said in a press conference later that day.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Sending out the scapegoats in a van advertising unemployed coaches is next-level stuff.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Black folks have been used as scapegoats for the rising government budgets, and anti-Black stereotypes fueled voters to significantly reduce access to affordable healthcare and educational assistance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite these recent developments, Platner has continued to receive silence, excuses, and outright support from prominent Democrats.—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
-
The Seminoles and Gators, however, have no excuses.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Madonna hunts pheasant in the English countryside, Thomas Edison electrocutes an elephant, Harry Harlow conducts callous experiments on monkeys, and Jimmy Carter fends off a swamp rabbit attack.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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Also known as snow monkeys, Japanese macaques, native to Japan, have a thick, lush fur coat that is adapted to cold climates, according to New England Primate Conservancy.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Goats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goats. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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