Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whipping boy
The Republicans and their puppet master, Donald Trump, are ginning up the machine against immigration and making Mayorkas their whipping boy for chaos at the border.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2024
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
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2024
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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Police said evidence suggested Salat was aware of the victim’s age and attempted to meet with the child in person.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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In San Diego, he was doomed by an ownership change, becoming a convenient fall guy for delusional former Miami Dolphins executive Mike Dee.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Visitors can attend shows for cattle, swine, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys and poultry.—
Brayden Garcia
January 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
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For three years now, the farm has served their Nigerian Pygmy goats donated Christmas trees; free of ornaments, tinsel, and any other side dish, of course.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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On what makes this team A team that shows up every day with the correct mentality, works really hard, doesn’t make excuses, owns up to mistakes and continues to get better.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Not ever using an excuse, but the ball moves differently in the wind.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Nations without trust in domestic institutions often turn outward in search of scapegoats.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
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O’Connor, 51, contacted this news organization from the Elmwood women’s jail in Milpitas to object to how she has been portrayed, cast herself as a scapegoat for teenagers’ illicit behavior and accuse the court system of bias.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whipping boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whipping%20boy. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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