World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesScapegoat
/ˈskeɪp.ɡoʊt/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.
"The manager looked for a scapegoat to take the blame for the failed project."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Coinage in 1530 by William Tyndale in his translation of the Bible, translating the Hebrew 'azazel' (Leviticus 16:8), misinterpreting it as 'escaped goat' (escape + goat).
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Scapegoat"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Scapegoat" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
bouc émissaire
Transliteration: bouk e-me-ser
"Il a servi de bouc émissaire pour toute l'équipe."
Sündenbock
Transliteration: zynd-en-bok
"Die Medien brauchten einen Sündenbock für das Desaster."
capro espiatorio
Transliteration: ka-pro e-spja-to-rio
"Hanno cercato un capro espiatorio per coprire i loro errori."
chivo expiatorio
Transliteration: chi-vo eks-pja-to-rio
"Siempre buscan un chivo expiatorio cuando las cosas van mal."
bode expiatório
Transliteration: bo-de eks-pja-to-rio
"Ele foi transformado em bode expiatório pela diretoria."
बलि का बकरा
Transliteration: bali ka bakra
"गलती किसी और की थी, लेकिन उसे बलि का बकरा बना दिया गया।"
替罪羊
Transliteration: tì zuì yáng
"他不愿意成为这次事件的替罪羊。"
희생양
Transliteration: hui-saeng-yang
"무고한 사람이 정치적 스캔들의 희생양이 되었다."
身代わり
Transliteration: migawari
"彼は不祥事の身代わりにされた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsA person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
To divide something into sections or categories, especially in order to make it easier to manage or understand.
Complete disorder and confusion.
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