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 Instead of looking in the mirror, Greg had a scapegoat and blamed the entire divorce on David. Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026 Karl-Anthony Towns can’t be the scapegoat for this one. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
Noun
  • Family members of the shooting victims cried as the sentence was handed down.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The victim was taken to Hartford Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to state police.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Even though most job cuts don’t appear to be tied to AI automation, companies are using the technology as an excuse to make routine headcount reductions, according to management experts.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Then again, someone like Charli doesn’t exactly need an excuse to embrace the theatrical.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • One of the vehicles in the crash was a pickup pulling a trailer carrying more than 30 goats.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
  • One of the vehicles was a pickup hauling a gooseneck trailer containing 32 goats, Colorado State Patrol said.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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