scapegoats

Definition of scapegoatsnext
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

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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 Fourth, anger and the search for scapegoats. David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026 In such a situation, scapegoats are needed, and the alien is the ideal one. Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 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
  • An Urban Pathways spokeswoman expressed condolences to the victims and their families in a statement.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
  • The move follows mounting pressure from state leaders and victims’ families to keep the camp closed as multiple criminal and civil investigations remain underway.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • There are at least three good excuses to do just that.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
  • At Dos Pueblos High in Goleta, baseball coach George Hedricks needed no excuses to start freshman Mattias Di Maggio, considering last name of DiMaggio is one of the best baseball names in the history of the sport.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • His night ended with him appropriately surrounded in the locker room by teammates who were bleating like goats.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
  • Fenced areas and water service for animals like goats and donkeys.
    David Caraccio May 2, Sacbee.com, 2 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scapegoats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoats. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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