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Recent Examples of whipping boy
As head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fauci has become a standard whipping boy for conservatives pushing back against anti-pandemic restrictions, but few politicians have placed him at the center of their outreach to their political base like DeSantis.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021
Still, having his excoriating assessments collected between hard covers makes for a powerful indictment, the more so because Boehner’s book vividly captures the growing horror of a bartender’s kid who evolved from a reflexive Democrat to a Reagan Republican to a tea party whipping boy.
—Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2021
The weaponization subcommittee’s foremost target will be the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which during Trump’s presidency became a whipping boy for the right, contradicting the GOP’s claim to champion law and order.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2023
Jamie, the lawyer, is the resident whipping boy, the black sheep whose ambitions surpass his mettle.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for whipping boy
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021
Still, having his excoriating assessments collected between hard covers makes for a powerful indictment, the more so because Boehner’s book vividly captures the growing horror of a bartender’s kid who evolved from a reflexive Democrat to a Reagan Republican to a tea party whipping boy.
—Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2021
The weaponization subcommittee’s foremost target will be the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which during Trump’s presidency became a whipping boy for the right, contradicting the GOP’s claim to champion law and order.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2023
Jamie, the lawyer, is the resident whipping boy, the black sheep whose ambitions surpass his mettle.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for whipping boy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whipping boy
Noun
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Here's what to know about Rogers' execution, including who his victims were.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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Police said the woman was involved in an argument with a group of females when an unknown male approached on foot, pulled out a firearm and fired shots at the victim.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Otherwise, what really changes, other than losing another fall guy?—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
11 May 2025
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Waltz has been seen as a potential fall guy, but even before Trump’s public vote of confidence, there were questions about whether anyone would be punished, particularly because it might be seen as a capitulation to Democrats and the news media.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This pageant of puppetry includes a flutter of butterflies, a goat with a plaintive bleat, a menagerie of wild animals and, at one point, a school of glowing fish.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
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This is a prime opportunity for parents to enjoy a morning ride while grandparents hang back with grandchildren to meet a baby goat, pet friendly pigs and, on select days, collect eggs from the henhouse.—
Margaux Lushing,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Construct decision boundaries that eliminate excuses.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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Hansi Flick has told his Barcelona players that partying after their La Liga title celebrations is no excuse for letting their performances drop.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Those fine margins Arteta speaks of turn some into heroes and others into scapegoats.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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During an April 14 meeting between Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele that was ostensibly about the two leaders’ controversial deportation and detention pact, Trump abruptly brought up his favorite political scapegoat: trans women in sports.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whipping boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whipping%20boy. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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