Background for scapegoat
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scapegoat

/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt/ /ˈskeɪpˌɡəʊt/

Meanings
noun
In the Mosaic Day of Atonement ritual, a goat symbolically imbued with the sins of the people, and sent out alive into the wilderness while another was sacrificed.

Examples :

"When the project failed, the intern became the scapegoat, even though the whole team was responsible. "
ritual religion theology mythology guilt

Related Words

Illustration symbolically

symbolically adverb

/ˌsɪmˈbɑːlɪklɨ/

In a symbolic manner.

"The red ribbon symbolically represented the end of the school year. "

Illustration atonement

atonement noun

/əˈtoʊnmənt/

Making amends to restore a damaged relationship; expiation.

"After arguing with her sister, Sarah sought atonement by buying her a thoughtful gift. "

Illustration scapegoated

scapegoated verb

/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊtɪd/ /ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊtəd/

To punish someone for the error or errors of someone else; to make a scapegoat of.

"The intern was scapegoated for the project's failure, even though the senior manager made all the key decisions. "

Illustration sacrificed

sacrificed verb

/ˈsækɹɪfaɪst/

To offer (something) as a gift to a deity.

"The villagers sacrificed a lamb to the mountain god for a good harvest. "

Illustration something

something noun

/ˈsamθɪŋ/ /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

An object whose nature is yet to be defined.

"My friend told me there was something in the box, but I didn't know what it was yet. "

Illustration vandalism

vandalism noun

/ˈvændəlɪzm̩/

Willful damage to or destruction of any property, such as graffiti or defacement.

"As we turned down the street I was appalled by the vandalism: spray paint and smashed windows that were everywhere."

Illustration wilderness

wilderness noun

/ˈwɪl.də.nɪs/ /ˈwɪl.dəɹ.nəs/

An unsettled and uncultivated tract of land in its natural state; a barren land; a wild or waste.

"The family's camping trip took them into the wilderness, where they saw many wild animals. "

Illustration punished

punished verb

/ˈpʌnɪʃt/

To cause to suffer for crime or misconduct, to administer disciplinary action.

"If a prince violates the law, then he must be punished like an ordinary person."

Illustration responsible

responsible noun

/ɹɪˈspɒnsəbl̩/ /ɹɪˈspɑnsəbl̩/

The individual who bears the responsibility for something.

"The responsible for the project is Maria. "

Illustration administration

administration noun

/ədˌmɪnəˈstɹeɪʃən/

The act of administering; government of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting of any office or employment; direction.

"The school administration is responsible for managing the daily schedule. "

Illustration evidence

evidence noun

[ˈɛvəɾəns]

Facts or observations presented in support of an assertion.

"There is no evidence that anyone was here earlier."

Illustration problems

problems noun

/ˈpɹɒbləmz/ /ˈpɹɑbləmz/

A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.

""Many students have problems understanding fractions." "