as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others companies often use the economy as a scapegoat to avoid taking responsibility for dropping sales

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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 scapegoat Members of the union that represents rank-and-file Los Angeles firefighters also spoke on the ex-chief’s behalf, claiming that Ms. Crowley had become a scapegoat for longstanding failures to sufficiently fund the Fire Department. Shawn Hubler, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2025 But soon, if Republicans succeed at smothering Trump’s favorite scapegoats, the president will have to find new ways to blame anyone but himself. Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025 Democratic strategist Tim Hogan said Trump sees Biden as a convenient scapegoat. Amie Parnes, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2025 The New York Times analysis: For Trump, Musk is a scapegoat and a liability. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
Noun
  • Once identified, the kit dynamically loads a counterfeit login page tailored to that provider, often with the victim’s email address already filled in.
    Alex Vakulov, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The gallery was filled with the victim’s friends, colleagues and family.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Ignorance Ignorance is never an excuse for poor governance.
    Committee of 200, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • These past comments from Trump have often appeared to be in jest, or just an excuse to excite his loyal fan base during public speaking.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Have a vet assess the setup before bringing goats home.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • New shops opened in the market, and plump goats began to graze in the pasture.
    Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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