The definition for scapegoat is "Someone who bears the blame for others." Used in a sentence: Audrey used her innocent baby brother as a scapegoat for the missing cookies. The definition for exception is "a case to which the rule does not apply.", the definition for buffer is "Protective barrier.", and the definition for catastrophic is "Relating to extreme misfortune."

The definition for appraise is "To evaluate the worth of." Used in a sentence: Simone, an expert in African sculpture, was asked to appraise the ambassador's collection of masks. The definition for insolence is "boldness or rudeness.", the definition for compulsion is "An irresistible impulse.", and the definition for liability is "A person or thing whose presence or behavior is likely to cause embarrassment or put one at a disadvantage."

The definition for stern is "Harsh, severe." Used in a sentence: The stern principal canceled the prom after the seniors played a silly prank. The definition for procrastinate is "to put off intentionally.", the definition for elate is "To fill with joy.", and the definition for epitaph is "Brief statement honoring a dead person."

The definition for mediate is "To come between parties in order to reconcile." Used in a sentence: The diplomatic Henry was able to mediate between the quarreling sisters. The definition for rail is "to scold in harsh language.", the definition for celebrated is "Widely known, respected.", and the definition for polarize is "To break up into opposing groups."

The definition for mandate is "An official order or commission to do something." Used in a sentence: Martha reluctantly obeyed the mandate to vacate her apartment. The definition for fraud is "trick.", the definition for corrective is "Intended to correct.", and the definition for periodic is "Occurring at regular intervals."