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scapegoats

NOUN

person who takes blame for

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fall guy

STRONG

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

WEAK

another's action 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.

If you’re winning, you don’t typically threaten to destroy a civilization or look for scapegoats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

"I understand that populism is spreading all over the world and that people are trying to look for scapegoats, they're angry," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

He and editor Andy Jurgensen keep the tenor strictly rat-a-tat, so his riskiest choice is that he trusts we’ll feel awful about these scapegoats even without close-ups of teary faces behind bars.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2025

She added that "everyone is terrified from the current incitement", and fears they will become "scapegoats".

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2025

I should have been cursing the system, but my mom and dad were much more tangible scapegoats.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi