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
All the chickens, turkeys, goats, and pigs carry a certain odor, their makeshift habitat a distinct unsightliness, which disagree with Bruce and his husband Darrell’s more regal tastes.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Ciara is thawing towards West, and getting goats for the party helped, even though one stomped all over Levi’s face.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Yet the study found that cheetahs and goats expend nearly the same energy while running.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Luxury also concerns itself with sourcing, prioritizing alpaca wool made from real alpaca fleece or mohair from angora goats.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Several dead animals, including cats, rabbits, pigs and goats, were found at that location.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Unlike heavy machinery, goats selectively target problem plants and naturally return nutrients to the soil.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Until this year Chablé’s programming largely focused on adults but anew farm space presents kid-friendly introductions to farming and gardening and includes a petting zoo with especially social pigs, goats, rabbits, and miniature horses and burros.
—John Newton, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
The term is also used for baby goats.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Ciara is thawing towards West, and getting goats for the party helped, even though one stomped all over Levi’s face.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Yet the study found that cheetahs and goats expend nearly the same energy while running.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Luxury also concerns itself with sourcing, prioritizing alpaca wool made from real alpaca fleece or mohair from angora goats.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Several dead animals, including cats, rabbits, pigs and goats, were found at that location.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Unlike heavy machinery, goats selectively target problem plants and naturally return nutrients to the soil.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Until this year Chablé’s programming largely focused on adults but anew farm space presents kid-friendly introductions to farming and gardening and includes a petting zoo with especially social pigs, goats, rabbits, and miniature horses and burros.
—John Newton, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
The term is also used for baby goats.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goats
Noun
-
Spohr died after being shot once in the head during the burglary at the couple’s Homewood residence on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, the victims’ family has said.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
If pulled out within 15 minutes, the Utah Avalanche Center says, 93% of avalanche victims live.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nations without trust in domestic institutions often turn outward in search of scapegoats.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
-
This time, Nixon was one of several scapegoats for a dismal 22-16 Packers loss.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
My focus will be on restoring dignity through opportunity and ensuring this district has leadership that fights for better outcomes, not excuses.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The policies of different nations allowed Putin to opine on this topic by occupying land and making excuses for his actions.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Locals say more than 30,000 green vervet monkeys live on the island, with early morning and late afternoon the best time for monkey spotting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Imagery illustrating Black people as apes, monkeys and other primates has long been considered racist in America.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Goats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goats. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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