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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whipping boy
Noun
  • Both victims were under age 5 at the time of the crime, according to the statement.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Police say identifying additional victims or witnesses will be critical as the investigation continues.
    Jamie Leary, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Jewish state, as usual, makes a handy fall guy.
    Max Boot, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
  • At Oregon State, Blaylock served as the university’s primary point of contact for the Blueprint partnership and, ultimately, became its fall guy, resigning from his post in late October.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Blue cheese can be made from various types of milk, including sheep, goat, and cow's milk.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Your littlest charges will marvel at the size of the camels, tortoises and giraffes lumbering about the zoo’s meandering paths, and then eagerly pet goats and sheep in the farmyard.
    Susan McDonald, The Providence Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Spring-cleaning tips for your kitchen Little bits of food and dust frequently get trapped under major appliances like the stovetop, so spring cleaning is always a good excuse to check out what’s under there.
    Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Young ladies going up against biological men — biological men — there is no excuse for that.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Black folks have been used as scapegoats for the rising government budgets, and anti-Black stereotypes fueled voters to significantly reduce access to affordable healthcare and educational assistance.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Americans are burned-out, frustrated, and hunting for scapegoats.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 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 3 Apr. 2026.

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