whipping boy

Definition of whipping boynext
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 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 When Trump loses, Fox will be a whipping boy. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 6 Nov. 2020 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
  • Investigators determined the victim was Edgar Carlos Garcia, then 39, of Mexico, who died after sustaining fatal injuries during an altercation that took place inside the warehouse.
    Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2026
  • The Israeli strikes killed five people around the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, according to the official news agency NNA, and the army said a soldier was along the victims.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • In seeking a lighter sentence, Josh’s attorney, Andrew Searle, had portrayed him as a fall guy for his family.
    Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 June 2026
  • But if there is going to be a fall guy for what transpired in the conference finals, Atkinson is a candidate.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, during a watch party at the downtown Power & Light District, a goat accompanied by former NFL quarterback-turned-Fox broadcaster Jameis Winston came on stage wearing an Argentina jersey.
    Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
  • The flesh-eating parasite has infected cattle, goats, and now a dog.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Immigration advocates and lawyers said the hurricane season is just an excuse and not the real reason why the detainees have been transferred.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
  • While player welfare is a real concern with temperatures expected to exceed 90 F (32 C) in the hottest World Cup venues, some say the hydration breaks are just an excuse for broadcasters to go to commercials in the middle of the game.
    CBS News, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • One of Rinderknecht’s lawyers, Steve Haney, has said Rinderknecht has become a scapegoat for the Los Angeles Fire Department’s failure to fully extinguish the Lachman Fire (which reignited into the Palisades Fire).
    Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 12 June 2026
  • My working theory is that the recent surge in gas prices, along with uncertainty about how AI will change the labor market have coalesced into a doom-and-gloom mood that is exacerbated by social media, always a possible scapegoat for negative vibes in today.
    Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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