Thesaurus results for WHIPPING BOY

whipping boy

noun

Definition of whipping boy

as in victim

a person or thing taking the blame for others used the government's economic policies as the whipping boy for every bad decision the company made

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of whipping boy There will always be whipping boys at the World Cup, a team who arrive underprepared or in chaos of some description. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025 Gordie is invisible to his mother and a whipping boy to his father. — Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Yet Hojlund only has to look at Scott McTominay and how Conte revitalised his career in Naples after years of being a United whipping boy by some sections of the fan base. — Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Once more, Turkey seems to have become a whipping boy for all manner of interests, some of which have little to do with the realities of Turkey itself. — Hugh Pope, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2010 See All Example Sentences for whipping boy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whipping boy

Noun

The Baton Rouge Police Department identified the victims as 21-year-old Leah Fonte and 21-year-old Shane Hirstius, who were engaged.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has begun notifying victims impacted by a recent data breach of driver’s license and motor vehicle data, but not everyone whose information was stolen will receive an alert.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of victim

Noun

So Republicans are desperate for something, anything, anyone — a fall guy, a scapegoat — to rant against, whip up the Republican base against, and raise money for their fall campaigns.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Gámez asserted that he’s being set up as a fall guy for political reasons.

— Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026

Definition of fall guy

Noun

Before my arrival, the Belâawane’s caravan comprised 200 goats, two dogs to help herd the goats, two chickens for eggs, and three donkeys to transport the chickens, tea kettles, jugs for water, blankets, and other food and camp supplies.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Researchers said the presence of this amphora may mean that sailors took goats with them on their voyages, using their milk to make dairy products.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of goat

Noun

This is a unit that features two-star receivers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, so there's no excuse for that.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
As someone who thinks NYE is a bit overrated, a wedding feels like the perfect excuse to dress up to the nines and celebrate.

— Fred Sahai, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

Some veterans say recruiters deceived them and Haitian authorities tortured them; their families call them scapegoats.

— Astrid Suárez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Indiana fans have become an easy scapegoat, and the reaction on Bluesky showed how little information some people needed to blame them.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of scapegoat

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whipping boy

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“Whipping boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whipping%20boy. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of whipping boy

noun

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