Definition of scapegoatnext
as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others companies often use the economy as a scapegoat to avoid taking responsibility for dropping sales

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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 scapegoat And one congressman, Representative Martin Dies of Texas, saw the FTP as a useful scapegoat in a crusade against any culture that was critical of America’s absolute goodness. Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025 This time, Nixon was one of several scapegoats for a dismal 22-16 Packers loss. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025 Hank becomes a scapegoat, despite having an alibi, echoing a familiar American pattern where innocence offers little protection. Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Dec. 2025 This rang true for many years, as there was no substitute for consulting ‘SaaS’ (‘scapegoat as a service’) — but a reckoning is coming. Big Think, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
Noun
  • Police said evidence suggested Salat was aware of the victim’s age and attempted to meet with the child in person.
    Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.
    Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Yes, potential excuses exist, such as the Tigers’ switch to Daniels, a senior Stanford transfer whose tremendous performance (353 yards passing and two touchdowns, 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns) demands the question of why Freeze didn’t turn the offense over to him weeks ago.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • No excuses, but there were two reasons for wearing it.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The man from the city provided goats, yam, fish, palm oil, orogbo, sugar and honey.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Horses graze in the upper pastures, while the lower fields have housed sheep, goats, and cattle.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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