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

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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 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 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
  • Some analysts argue that while Christians have been targeted by Boko Haram and other Islamist groups seeking to impose their extreme interpretation of Islamic law, Muslims, including those considered moderate, have also been victims of those groups.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • According to the investigators' notes, the victims left a sliding door open on the night of the attack for Goncalves' dog, who was found unharmed in her bed.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Which makes Ten Hag an invaluable fall guy.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The Bellows fall guy here is Darrin’s boss, Larry Tate, who suspects something but can never prove it.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • When someone hires goats as a landscaping service, people can't help but wander over and watch them with delight.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The menagerie began with a neighbor’s three dozen goats; he’d been drafted and needed someone to care for them.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Matt Baker says Florida coaches are out of excuses moving forward, Bruce Feldman breaks down the candidates to replace Napier and Chris Vannini has the pluses and minuses of the job.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Bills have draft capital to move, too, so there's really no excuse not to get something done.
    Jon Conahan, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some say Batts was innocent, a scapegoat in a drama that turned a ghost story into the tale of the Bell Witch.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Attorney Stephen Imm said Theetge is a scapegoat for the rising concerns over crime in the city.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whipping boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whipping%20boy. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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