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 scapegoat
The problem was American society’s need for a scapegoat to avoid a broader interrogation of its own history and values.
—
Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
In short, the fearmongers need a new scapegoat.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But in a year in which more teams are likely to make March Basketball worse than ever, the Jazz feel like a convenient scapegoat.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Baldoni said Lively and Reynolds used him as a scapegoat for the negative publicity.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
In short, the fearmongers need a new scapegoat.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But in a year in which more teams are likely to make March Basketball worse than ever, the Jazz feel like a convenient scapegoat.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Baldoni said Lively and Reynolds used him as a scapegoat for the negative publicity.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
Noun
-
But many of the workers also presented themselves as victims of racially motivated government policies.—
Boyce Upholt,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Crump is known for representing relatives of victims of high-profile police brutality cases.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the spotlight settles on each of them, that person unspools a monologue, a candid account of their origins, their desires and dreams, their galaxy of excuses and explanations.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
But resilience should not become an excuse to accept cycles of destruction.—
Sarah Al Asmar,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The peacefulness of the nature around them helps make the war feel distant — the clouds rolling across the green hills, the bleating of their neighbor's goats at sunset.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Village sounds of chickens and goats were pierced by the distant whine of commercial jets climbing out of Agadir’s international airport.—
Kevin West,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
