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scapegoat

noun/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt/

a person or group falsely accused of some wrongdoing to cast blame away from those who are guilty

The party tried to make a scapegoat of the new leader, even though the recession was the result of their failures over the previous decade.

word origin — mid 16th century: from archaic scape ‘escape’ + goat

Advanced — Set 64

Set 64 of Advanced covers 5 words: scapegoat, ambassador, patriotism, coalition, intervention. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. scapegoat · noun/ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊt/

    a person or group falsely accused of some wrongdoing to cast blame away from those who are guilty

    The party tried to make a scapegoat of the new leader, even though the recession was the result of their failures over the previous decade.

    Origin: mid 16th century: from archaic scape ‘escape’ + goat

  2. ambassador · noun/æmˈbæsədər/

    an official residing in another country with the job of representing their own

    The ambassador held an elegant reception to celebrate the peace accords between the two nations.

    Origin: late Middle English: from French ambassadeur, from Italian ambasciator, based on Latin ambactus ‘servant’

  3. patriotism · noun/ˈpeɪtriəˌtɪz(ə)m/

    a strong feeling of love and responsibility towards one's country

    Soldiers started to question their patriotism when they witnessed so many war crimes committed.

    Synonyms: loyalty, nationalism

  4. coalition · noun/ˌkoʊəˈlɪʃ(ə)n/

    when two or more groups, often political parties, come together to work on a task

    The coalition between the liberal and the labor parties came as no surprise due to their common interest in workers rights.

    Synonyms: alliance, collaboration, integration

    Origin: early 17th century (in the sense ‘fusion’): from medieval Latin coalitio(n-), from the verb coalescere (see coalesce). Usage in politics dates from the late 18th century

  5. intervention · noun/ˌɪn(t)ərˈvɛn(t)ʃ(ə)n/

    the act of getting involved

    The book criticized worldwide institutions, like the IMF, for its economic intervention in poor countries that end up buried in debt.

    Synonyms: interference, mediation

    Origin: late Middle English: from Latin interventio(n-), from the verb intervenire (see intervene)