scapegoating
ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊtɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of scapegoating - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
unfair blameunfairly blaming someone for others' mistakes
  • Scapegoating happened when he was blamed for the team's failure.
targeting victimization
2.
blame diversionRaremaking someone take blame, sometimes to distract from real problemsRare
  • Scapegoating often happens during political scandals.
deflection

Adjective

blameunfairly blaming someone for others' mistakes
  • The scapegoating behavior was evident in the team's dynamics.
accusing blaming faulting
Add a suggestion |

Origin of scapegoating

Old English, scap (escape) + goat (animal)

Examples of scapegoating in a sentence

  • Scapegoating in the community sparked protests.
  • Scapegoating the junior staff calmed public outrage temporarily.
  • Scapegoating diverted attention from the CEO's failures.
  • The scapegoating attitude was criticized by the committee.
  • Scapegoating tactics were used to divert attention from the real issue.

View all translations of scapegoating

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:bouc émissaire, injuste, ...
  2. German:Sündenbockmechanismus, schuldzuweisend, ...
  3. Italian:colpevolizzazione, accusatorio, ...
  4. Spanish:culpabilización, culpabilizador, ...
  5. Portuguese:culpabilização injusta, bode expiatório, ...
  6. Chinese:替罪羊行为, 推卸责任的, ...
  7. Japanese:責任転嫁, スケープゴート的な, ...
  8. Arabic:تَحْمِيل الذَّنْب, مُتَّهِم غَيْر عَادِل, ...
  9. Hebrew:הֲפִיכָה לְשָׂעִיר לַעֲזָאזֵל, הַמַּאֲשִׁים כְּשָׂעִיר לַעֲזָאזֵל, ...
  10. Russian:перекладывание вины, обвинительный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:списування на когось, звинувачувальний, ...
  12. Hindi:बली का बकरा बनाना, बलि का बकरा बनाने वाला, ...
scapegoat
ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt

Definition of scapegoat - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
blameperson unfairly blamed for others' mistakes
  • He became the scapegoat for the team's failure.
fall guy victim whipping boy
2.
ritualRaregoat symbolically carrying sins in a ritualRare
  • The scapegoat was sent into the wilderness.
fall guy victim

Verb

tr.
1.
blame transferblame someone else for one's own problems
  • They often scapegoat others for their failures at work..
pass the buck
2.
behaviorunfairly blame someone for others' mistakes
  • The manager scapegoated the intern for the project's failure.
accuse blame fault
Add a suggestion |

Origin of scapegoat

Hebrew, saʿir (goat) + ʿazazel (removal)

Examples of scapegoat in a sentence

  • The manager used him as a scapegoat to cover up the error.
  • The villagers chose a scapegoat for the ceremony.
  • In ancient times, a scapegoat was used in rituals.
  • Politicians often scapegoat immigrants during economic crises.
  • She tried to scapegoat her colleague for the project's failure.
  • She was unfairly scapegoated for the team's poor performance.

View all translations of scapegoat

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:bouc émissaire, faire porter le chapeau, ...
  2. German:Sündenbock, beschuldigen, ...
  3. Italian:capro espiatorio, dare la colpa agli altri, ...
  4. Spanish:chivo expiatorio, convertir en chivo expiatorio, ...
  5. Portuguese:bode expiatório, culpar, ...
  6. Chinese:替罪羊, 推卸责任, ...
  7. Japanese:スケープゴート, スケープゴートにする, ...
  8. Arabic:كَبْش فِدَاء, يَتَّخِذُ شَخْصًا كَكَبْشِ فِدَاء, ...
  9. Hebrew:שָׂעִיר לַעֲזָאזֵל, לְהַאֲשִׁים, ...
  10. Russian:козел отпущения, делать козлом отпущения, ...
  11. Ukrainian:цап-відбувайло, звинувачувати, ...
  12. Hindi:बलि का बकरा, बलि का बकरा बनाना, ...

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery