Thesaurus results for 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

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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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoats

Noun

The brothers previously faced rape and human trafficking charges in Britain in connection to three alleged victims, CPS said.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
That year, Juventus were beaten by PSV in the playoff round, while Inter were the victims of an upset at that stage last year against Bodo/Glimt.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of victims

Noun

Arteta and Arsenal had no need for excuses this time around, though, with Martin Odegaard scoring a late winner after a convincing team performance at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
With each passing year and each additional project, though, the room for excuses dwindles further.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of excuses

Noun

Carmel Valley Ranch harvests its own honey, and with goats and a creamery on site, all of the cheese is made there as well.

— Sari Hitchins, Parents, 5 Sep. 2026
She’s loved by her family of humans (the Osteens) and other farm animals (including Elsie the cow; goats Honey, Dolly, Roger, Polly and Dodger; and Tom, the king of the turkeys who stalks around his enclosure like a pharaoh).

— Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of goats

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scapegoat

scapegoats

scapegrace

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“Scapegoats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoats. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scapegoats

noun

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