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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoats

Noun

The entry is paired with a suite of portraits of a number of Black men and women wearing MooreWraps, versatile multi-wear garments created by Moore’s sister with proceeds donated to victims of domestic violence and incarceration.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Authorities have not publicly identified the shooter or the victims, but Lorah said the gunman was related to seven of the eight people killed.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of victims

Noun

The rules, which are never explained, are put there as flimsy excuses for aspects of the pilot that don’t hold together otherwise.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Only to see them, after winning elections, get strong-armed by the party, then offer lame excuses as to why.

— Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuses

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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 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scapegoats

noun

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