scapegoat

[skeyp-goht] / ˈskeɪpˌgoʊt /

NOUN

person who takes blame for another's action

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fall guy

STRONG

chump doormat dupe fool goat gull mark patsy pigeon pushover sacrifice sap schmuck stooge sucker victim weakling

WEAK

boob easy mark sitting duck

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Or is he a scapegoat for the failings of California firefighters?

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

The group’s president, Basil Russo—a former Democratic politician from Cleveland—said Columbus had become a scapegoat for Western colonization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Is it actually dangerous for kids, or a scapegoat for a larger problem?

From Slate • May 17, 2026

When policies fail and public support craters, authoritarian regimes inevitably seek a scapegoat.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

There was always one unfortunate whom the teacher singled out and used for a scapegoat.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Vocabulary lists containing scapegoat

Idioms and Expressions, List 1

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Wait, What? Confusing Compound Words

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Jane Eyre

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