Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whipping boy
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
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
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
Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
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
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
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He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The harpsichord was also a victim of the orchestral era.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In real life, Miller takes the ribbing well, happy to be his friend’s fall guy for the purposes of narrative structure.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
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The Jewish state, as usual, makes a handy fall guy.—
Max Boot,
Washington Post,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Tour properties include dramatic subtropical and desert landscaping, a front yard devoted entirely to succulents, kinetic metal and mosaic art, resident goats and a stop with 17 fruit trees alongside proteas and exotic succulents.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
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The safari park, known for its adorable one-on-one encounters, also has a petting zoo full of goats, otters, sheep, cows and lemurs.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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With only seven ingredients (not counting salt and pepper) there's really no excuse for not making these cutlets.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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Cloud battled migraine headaches due to a previous injury, which Levinson suggests was partly to blame — and perhaps an easy excuse — for his dependence on painkillers.—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since the start of the war with Iran, figures within MAGA have trumpeted Israel as a scapegoat.—
Jennifer Lutz,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Find the scapegoat and attack it to maximize its content creation potential and make a profit.—
Steven Burg,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whipping boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whipping%20boy. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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