goat 1 of 2

noun

ˈgōt How to pronounce goat (audio)
Definition of goatnext
as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others an unhappy childhood was the goat he used to rationalize every failure and shortcoming

Synonyms & Similar Words

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go at

2 of 2

phrase

1
as in raid
to take sudden, violent action against He went at his opponent with such fervor, the fight was practically over before it began.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in approach
to start work on energetically She went at that project with such enthusiasm, you could tell it was a labor of love.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 goat
Noun
Judge Montana Beck of Reno, Nevada, evaluated the market beef, swine, lamb and goats before choosing the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion winners in each species. — Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026 Some of them, like the one I got stranded on, were full of green rolling hills, tall grasses that rustled in the wind, and wild goats and deer roaming free. — Annie Daly, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Phrase
The offensive line and defensive lines went at it for one-on-ones. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 31 July 2026 So this fight scene was that on steroids, and Colin and I went at it for hours and hours. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for goat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goat
  1. victim
  2. have at
  3. scapegoat
  4. excuse
Noun
  • During the investigation, police were alerted to two shooting victims who had walked into area hospitals, including Chance.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Mines Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou expressed condolences to victims’ families and warned miners about the dangers of unsafe mining practices, according to a statement posted by the ministry.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of victim
Phrase
  • The Broward legislative delegation will have at least two new House members come November.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Each of the three models of succession has at least one example in mainland Europe.
    — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of have at
Noun
  • So Republicans are desperate for something, anything, anyone — a fall guy, a scapegoat — to rant against, whip up the Republican base against, and raise money for their fall campaigns.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Ultimately, some experts say that until Europe addresses issues like unemployment and stretched public services, migration will continue to be used as a scapegoat for the continent’s socioeconomic woes.
    — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of scapegoat
Noun
  • That is more true inside a company than at national scale, because a company has fewer excuses.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The ostensibly patriotic event repeated every year, serving as a kind of decoy, an excuse for tribal members to gather and dance.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuse

Phrases Containing goat

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goals
goat
go at
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Cite this Entry

“Goat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goat. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on goat

Nglish: Translation of goat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about goat

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