Thesaurus results for FALL GUY

fall guy

noun

Definition of fall guy

as in victim

a person or thing taking the blame for others the sandlot ball players wanted the littlest kid to be the fall guy for the broken window, figuring that he'd have the best chance of escaping punishment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 fall guy The Bellows fall guy here is Darrin’s boss, Larry Tate, who suspects something but can never prove it. — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 In seeking a lighter sentence, Josh’s attorney, Andrew Searle, had portrayed him as a fall guy for his family. — Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 June 2026 In San Diego, he was doomed by an ownership change, becoming a convenient fall guy for delusional former Miami Dolphins executive Mike Dee. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025 At Oregon State, Blaylock served as the university’s primary point of contact for the Blueprint partnership and, ultimately, became its fall guy, resigning from his post in late October. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fall guy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall guy

Noun

The families of the victims said the pain is still as raw to this day.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Most of the victims lived nearby, and funeral prayers were expected later Tuesday.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

Definition of victim

Noun

The former Maple Leaf was a whipping boy in Toronto whenever the Leafs couldn't get past the second round of the playoffs, but his first postseason in Vegas has been downright magical.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
The middle class or big corporations don’t want to become the mayor’s whipping boy.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026

Definition of whipping boy

Noun

In Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, farmer Mindy Dean, 50, and her family will be milking their goats Saturday and maybe taking in some local fireworks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Alpha-gal syndrome is caused by ticks, usually the lone star tick, that have previously fed on mammals like cows, deer, goats and pigs.

— Erika Edwards, NBC news, 2 July 2026

Definition of goat

Noun

Just like the Mets, the case could be made that Boston’s president of baseball operations, Craig Breslow, deserved the blame, but the skipper became the scapegoat instead.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
In a legal filing, Crowley said Mayor Karen Bass, who was out of the country when the fires began, made the longtime firefighter a scapegoat for the catastrophe.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 June 2026