scapegoaters
Those who blame
People who assign blame to scapegoats—individuals or groups held responsible for problems they didn't cause.
The term carries disapproval, implying the blame is unfair or politically motivated: The scapegoaters found immigrants a convenient target for economic anxieties.
Those who assign fault
- accusersThose who blame others
- faultfindersPeople who criticize constantly
- denouncersThose who condemn publicly
- persecutorsThose who cruelly harass
defamers · vilifiers · castigators · censurers · detractors · condemners · reproachers · rebukers
Something that extends outward
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- externalizationMaking internal things external
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
defense mechanisms · blame-shifting · cognitive distortion · deflection · victimizing · persecution complex · paranoia · groupthink
Unjust or biased treatment
- false accusationUntrue claim of wrongdoing
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- victimizationBeing made to suffer
oppression · marginalization · witch hunt · purge · mob justice · kangaroo court · prejudice · bigotry
One blamed for others
- patsyEasily deceived victim
- whipping boyDesignated recipient of punishment
- black sheepDisreputable family member
- outcastShunned, rejected person
pariah · victim · sacrifice · target · outsider · minority · marginalized · persecuted
Hebrew scripture of rituals
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- expiationRedress for offense
- Day of AtonementSolemn Jewish repentance observance
- Yom KippurAnnual Jewish atonement observance
biblical · ritual sacrifice · ancient Israel · wilderness · purification · ceremonial
blamers
Those who assign fault
- accusersThose who blame others
- faultfindersPeople who criticize constantly
- denouncersThose who condemn publicly
persecutors · defamers · vilifiers · castigators · censurers · detractors · condemners · reproachers · rebukers · critics
projection
Something that extends outward
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- externalizationMaking internal things external
- denialRefusal to accept reality
rationalization · defense mechanisms · blame-shifting · cognitive distortion · deflection · victimizing · persecution complex · paranoia · groupthink · mob mentality
unfairness
Unjust or biased treatment
- false accusationUntrue claim of wrongdoing
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
victimization · oppression · marginalization · witch hunt · purge · mob justice · kangaroo court · prejudice · bigotry · intolerance
fall guy
One blamed for others
- patsyEasily deceived victim
- whipping boyDesignated recipient of punishment
- black sheepDisreputable family member
outcast · pariah · victim · sacrifice · target · outsider · minority · marginalized · persecuted · stigmatized
Leviticus
Hebrew scripture of rituals
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- expiationRedress for offense
- Day of AtonementSolemn Jewish repentance observance
Yom Kippur · biblical · ritual sacrifice · ancient Israel · wilderness · purification · ceremonial
scapegoatersdefenders
Those who shield others
protectors · advocates · allies · champions · vindicators