Synonyms of scapegoats

scapegoats

noun

plural of scapegoat

as in victims

a person or thing taking the blame for others

companies often use the economy as a scapegoat to avoid taking responsibility for dropping sales

Synonyms & Similar Words

• victims
• excuses
• goats
• fall guys
• whipping boys
• dupes
• monkeys
• fools
• butts
• laughingstocks
• marks
• mockeries

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scapegoats

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, 30 Mar. 2026

Americans are burned-out, frustrated, and hunting for scapegoats. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026

In such a situation, scapegoats are needed, and the alien is the ideal one. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Fourth, anger and the search for scapegoats. — David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026

And while the White House cycled through various scapegoats, prices rose a total of 20 percent, costing families more than $10,000. — Jessica Riedl, Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2026

Nations without trust in domestic institutions often turn outward in search of scapegoats. — Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026

This time, Nixon was one of several scapegoats for a dismal 22-16 Packers loss. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025