Thesaurus results for WHIPPING BOY

whipping boy

noun

Definition of whipping boy

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 There will always be whipping boys at the World Cup, a team who arrive underprepared or in chaos of some description. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025 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 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

The studies with these conclusions have not held up over time and may be victims of publication bias.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 22 Sep. 2026
Ventura was not truly a victim and deserved to face consequences alongside Combs.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of victim

Noun

So Republicans are desperate for something, anything, anyone — a fall guy, a scapegoat — to rant against, whip up the Republican base against, and raise money for their fall campaigns.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Gámez asserted that he’s being set up as a fall guy for political reasons.

— Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026

Definition of fall guy

Noun

Eventually, the plan calls for a small-scale goat farm alongside a farmer’s market, restaurant and event center.

— Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Delicious food — Jamaican patties, raspberry tarts, Nigerian-style goat, salmon tamales — scented the streets.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of goat

Noun

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, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Mbappe is often the scapegoat at Madrid, with his defensive contribution numbers towards the bottom of the rankings across Europe’s big five domestic leagues last season.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of scapegoat

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“Whipping boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whipping%20boy. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of whipping boy

noun

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