scapegoat

/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt/
noun
  1. A person who is blamed for the mistakes or crimes of others.
    • In many stories, a scapegoat is unfairly punished to keep peace in the group.
    • When the project failed, the manager made the intern the scapegoat.
    • The coach became the scapegoat for the team's losing season.
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verb
  1. To blame someone unfairly for something that is not their fault.
    • The media tried to scapegoat the teacher for the school's problems.
    • Don't scapegoat your little brother just because you broke the vase.
    • Politicians often scapegoat immigrants during difficult economic times.
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