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
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
The couple wasn't sure, convinced that their pet goats, 3-year-old Percy and Penny, hadn't survived the storm.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 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
Goat Fest will feature goats from Allegheny GoatScape, a nonprofit that works to restore balance to landscapes by clearing unwanted vegetation to help the growth of native plants.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Farah once had 680 goats, but a lack of food and water as well as diseases exacerbated by drought have claimed all but 110 of them, barely clinging to life.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
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
The couple wasn't sure, convinced that their pet goats, 3-year-old Percy and Penny, hadn't survived the storm.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 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
Goat Fest will feature goats from Allegheny GoatScape, a nonprofit that works to restore balance to landscapes by clearing unwanted vegetation to help the growth of native plants.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Farah once had 680 goats, but a lack of food and water as well as diseases exacerbated by drought have claimed all but 110 of them, barely clinging to life.
—ABC News, 13 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
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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
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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
-
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Williams said Melo keeps making excuses.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
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In addition to the ruins, the biosphere reserve is home to many species of flora and fauna and is worth visiting for wildlife alone, especially in the morning when monkeys, birds and other animals are most active.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Ravelo was the leader and organizer of invitation-only internet groups dedicated to the sharing and discussion of videos depicting monkeys being mutilated and tortured, the DOJ said in a statement.—
Sofia Saric
May 24,
Miami Herald,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Goats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goats. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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