scapegoat, ambassador, patriotism, coalition, intervention: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 64. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

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)