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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.
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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
The weaponization subcommittee’s foremost target will be the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which during Trump’s presidency became a whipping boy for the right, contradicting the GOP’s claim to champion law and order.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2023
Jamie, the lawyer, is the resident whipping boy, the black sheep whose ambitions surpass his mettle.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for whipping boy 
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
The weaponization subcommittee’s foremost target will be the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which during Trump’s presidency became a whipping boy for the right, contradicting the GOP’s claim to champion law and order.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2023
Jamie, the lawyer, is the resident whipping boy, the black sheep whose ambitions surpass his mettle.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for whipping boy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whipping boy
Noun
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While some federal emergency relief funds will come to victims quickly, additional money to rebuild infrastructure, homes and businesses is likely to flow much more slowly.David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Jan. 2025
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Sally Smith, a spokesperson for the police department, said Wednesday morning that she's heard the victim is in stable condition at the moment.Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Jacksonville Jaguars sacked Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson on Monday in the NFL’s dark annual ritual of finding fall guys after the regular season came to an end Sunday night.David K. Li, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025
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Watching England as a non-white person can come with the fear that with many of the national team’s historic defeats comes a fall guy.Carl Anka, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
Noun
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Karen Carlson, owner of 5 acres in Ramona with donkeys, lambs, chickens, goats, turkeys and quail, was among the attendees of the Jan. 7 meeting.Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
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The Canadian beauty grew up on a farm surrounded by goats, bunnies and chickens, which led to her lifelong love of animals.Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Knicks hope to get some rest and recovery before then, but Brunson refused to use fatigue as an excuse after the team’s latest loss.Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
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The Timberwolves can’t use injuries as an excuse for their 18-17 record, but their significant trade has thrown off their equilibrium, leaving them chasing the good vibes of last season’s conference finals run.Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Surgeon General’s advisory highlights real concerns but also risks turning alcohol into a scapegoat while ignoring larger systemic issues.Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Daniel Jones is being used as this year’s scapegoat.Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 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 20 Jan. 2025.
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