whipping boy

Definition of whipping boynext
as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others used the government's economic policies as the whipping boy for every bad decision the company made

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 whipping boy Gordie is invisible to his mother and a whipping boy to his father. Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Yet Hojlund only has to look at Scott McTominay and how Conte revitalised his career in Naples after years of being a United whipping boy by some sections of the fan base. Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 When Trump loses, Fox will be a whipping boy. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 6 Nov. 2020 Once more, Turkey seems to have become a whipping boy for all manner of interests, some of which have little to do with the realities of Turkey itself. Hugh Pope, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2010 See All Example Sentences for whipping boy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whipping boy
Noun
  • Newsom’s office said Thursday that the state is providing assistance to victims, family members and witnesses of the mosque shooting.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
  • The bodies of two people were found earlier this week, before crews recovered the remains of another six victims on Thursday, May 28, Longview fire chief Brad Hannig said in a press conference later that day.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • In seeking a lighter sentence, Josh’s attorney, Andrew Searle, had portrayed him as a fall guy for his family.
    Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 June 2026
  • But if there is going to be a fall guy for what transpired in the conference finals, Atkinson is a candidate.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • Several Ramona elementary schools Transitional-Kindergarten and kindergarten students visited the farm and rotated through hands-on learning stations that included cattle, sheep and goats, swine, greenhouse activities and agricultural mechanics demonstrations.
    Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
  • Currently, there are three cattle, one dog and one goat with the parasite, per the USDA tracker, which has not yet been updated with the goat's case.
    Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • What a great excuse to weave insanely disparate situations into one narrative; obliterate the line between realistic and whimsical.
    Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 11 June 2026
  • But his silence in the series could change viewers’ perceptions of him, raising questions about where the line between empathy and excuses lies.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • My working theory is that the recent surge in gas prices, along with uncertainty about how AI will change the labor market have coalesced into a doom-and-gloom mood that is exacerbated by social media, always a possible scapegoat for negative vibes in today.
    Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
  • Sampson said he’s sometimes used as a scapegoat when Democratic leadership may not want to call a bill.
    Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whipping boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whipping%20boy. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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