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 Tariffs, tighter immigration, and economic uncertainty have all played a role—and artificial intelligence has become an easy scapegoat. Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026 O’Connor, 51, contacted this news organization from the Elmwood women’s jail in Milpitas to object to how she has been portrayed, cast herself as a scapegoat for teenagers’ illicit behavior and accuse the court system of bias. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025 Mike McDaniel seems safe for another season, especially since the team, soon after a 1-6 start, showed longtime general manager Chris Grier, enough of a scapegoat to alleviate some heat off the head coach. Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025 It was seen as one of the scapegoat issues highlighted for the Democrats' sweeping 2024 election defeat. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
Noun
  • Court documents in the federal prosecution of the employee, Jacob Melvin Hart, indicate there could be more juvenile victims from Crossline Community Church.
    Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
  • All three victims were shot and killed outside the Sky Market on 85th Avenue and International Boulevard, allegedly after the brothers attempted to purchase marijuana from another person who was at the store, authorities said.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In short, there’s no excuse for a lack of wellness support.
    Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Making up excuses for things not to go perfectly would have been easy with the team dealing with illnesses.
    Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Some may see me as Kyle’s goat.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Killing goats, the gunman said acidly, still shy of convinced.
    Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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