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.

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

From Slate • May 17, 2026

Luque’s lawyers say he is a scapegoat who wasn’t responsible for Maradona’s treatment during the home care.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

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

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

Sancho hit back on social media almost immediately, saying he had been made a "scapegoat".

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

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

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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