scapegoat
scapegoat / To unfairly blame someone for a mistake or crime committed by others.
NounTransitive Verb
pl: scapegoatspast: scapegoatedpp: scapegoateding: scapegoating
This term carries a strong connotation of injustice and unfairness. It describes a dynamic where a vulnerable individual is sacrificed to protect a more powerful person or a larger organization from criticism or legal consequences. Historically, the word originates from an ancient ritual where a goat was symbolically burdened with the sins of the community and driven into the wilderness. In modern usage, it functions both as a label for the victim and as an action of shifting blame.
Meanings
Nounscapegoat
A person or group made to bear the blame for others who are responsible.
"The junior employee was used as a scapegoat for the company's failure."