scapegoated
Made the fall-guy
Scapegoated means made to bear blame for others' failures or misdeeds.
The scapegoat was originally a goat symbolically burdened with the sins of the community and driven into the wilderness.
Now it's anyone unfairly blamed: He was scapegoated for the team's poor performance.
Immigrants are often scapegoated during economic downturns.
Subjected to hostile treatment
- vilifiedSpoke evil of
- demonizedPortrayed as evil
- marginalizedPushed to society's edges
- ostracizedExcluded from a group
stigmatized · bullied · harassed · oppressed · targeted · outcast · alienated · tormented
One blamed for others
- patsyEasily deceived victim
- whipping boyDesignated recipient of punishment
- framedEnclosed or blamed falsely
- wrongedTreated with injustice
accused · target · singled-out · blamed · fingered · set up · held responsible · easy mark
Pregnancy lost naturally
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
discrimination · disparity · grievance · violation · false accusation · railroaded · unjust · victimized
Persecuting supposed wrongdoers
- McCarthyismPolitically-motivated accusation without evidence
- blacklistRecord of prohibited entities
- purgeEliminate unwanted elements
- pogromViolent persecution of minorities
inquisition · show trial · crucible · lynching · mob justice · hysteria · fanaticism · moral panic
Collective irrationality in groups
- herd behaviorMimicking the group's actions
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
- mass hysteriaShared irrational public fear
- echo chamberSelf-reinforcing information environment
crowd psychology · groupthink · collective blame · public shaming · cancel culture · pile-on · social contagion · deindividuation
Clearance of blame
- clearedFound not guilty
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- exculpationClearing from fault
rehabilitation · restoration · reprieve · pardon · truth revealed · redemption · rectification · justice served
persecuted
Subjected to hostile treatment
- vilifiedSpoke evil of
- demonizedPortrayed as evil
- marginalizedPushed to society's edges
ostracized · stigmatized · bullied · harassed · oppressed · targeted · outcast · alienated · tormented · mistreated
fall guy
One blamed for others
- patsyEasily deceived victim
- whipping boyDesignated recipient of punishment
- framedEnclosed or blamed falsely
wronged · accused · target · singled-out · blamed · fingered · set up · held responsible · easy mark · sacrificial
miscarriage
Pregnancy lost naturally
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
prejudice · discrimination · disparity · grievance · violation · false accusation · railroaded · unjust · victimized · innocent
witch hunt
Persecuting supposed wrongdoers
- McCarthyismPolitically-motivated accusation without evidence
- blacklistRecord of prohibited entities
- purgeEliminate unwanted elements
pogrom · inquisition · show trial · crucible · lynching · mob justice · hysteria · fanaticism · moral panic · demonization
mob mentality
Collective irrationality in groups
- herd behaviorMimicking the group's actions
- bandwagonSurging popular cause
- mass hysteriaShared irrational public fear
echo chamber · crowd psychology · groupthink · collective blame · public shaming · cancel culture · pile-on · social contagion · deindividuation · conformity
vindication
Clearance of blame
- clearedFound not guilty
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
exculpation · rehabilitation · restoration · reprieve · pardon · truth revealed · redemption · rectification · justice served · unburdened
- wrongedabused, mistreated, victimized, exploited, oppressed
scapegoatedexonerated
Cleared of wrongdoing
vindicated · absolved · cleared · acquitted · exculpated
- scapegoat ritualCeremony transferring sins symbolically