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

Meanwhile, Trumpworld searched frantically for scapegoats to deflect blame that the electoral bloodbath was a rebuke of the president and his agenda. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

Some veterans say recruiters deceived them and Haitian authorities tortured them; their families call them scapegoats. — Astrid Suárez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

This tradition viewed progressive nationalism as using promises of reform and demagogic tirades against scapegoats abroad to distract from their own corruption and irresponsibility. — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Bad guys vanquished… or at the very least, viable scapegoats neutralized. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026

Refugee groups said military barracks aren’t the right place to house asylum seekers, but cautioned that migrants should not be made scapegoats. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

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