Synonyms for

Scapegoat

Verb / ˈskeɪˌpgəʊt / Another word for scapegoat — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

A person or group made to bear the blame or punishment for others.

Synonyms & similar words

whippingboy patsy victim target martyr outcast exile pariah outlier reject alien castaway solitary loner recluse hermit ostracized isolated abandoned

Example sentences

  1. The teacher blamed the whole class for the bad behavior of one student, making them all scapegoats.
  2. Politicians often make promises they can't keep and then use minorities as scapegoats for their failures.
  3. In some cultures, black cats are seen as scapegoats and are thought to bring bad luck.
  4. The company's CEO used his assistant as a scapegoat for his own mistakes, causing her to lose her job.

Quotes

  • I will not be made a scapegoat for something I didn't do. - Lil' Kim
  • We're always looking for scapegoats, aren't we? - Norman Jewison
  • A scapegoat is always needed, whether it's the communists, the Jews, or the foreign investors. - Naguib Mahfouz

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