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Definitions

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.

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

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

Lesson: The volatility that comes with technological change sometimes requires a scapegoat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Defence lawyer Jason Goss said prosecutors were trying to scapegoat Gonzales, 52, and make him "pay for the pain of that day".

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

A TikTok spokesman told AFP in September that the company "categorically rejects the deceptive presentation" by French MPs, saying it was being made a "scapegoat" for broader societal issues.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

He had the feeling that Brother Leon was that kind of character, that he would need a scapegoat and Brian would be closest at hand.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.