Meaning of the word scapegoat in English

What does scapegoat mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

scapegoat

US /ˈskeɪp.ɡoʊt/
UK /ˈskeɪp.ɡəʊt/

Noun

a person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place

Example:
He became the scapegoat for the team's failure.
The manager was looking for a scapegoat to blame for the financial losses.

Verb

to make a person or group a scapegoat

Example:
They tried to scapegoat the junior employees for the company's problems.
It's unfair to scapegoat one person for a collective mistake.