lame duck
noun
1
: one that is weak or that falls behind in ability or achievement
especially, chiefly British
: an ailing company
2
: an elected official or group continuing to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of a successor
3
: one whose position or term of office will soon end
Examples of lame duck in a Sentence
The President was a lame duck during the end of his second term.
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump's real goals in floating a third term: Distract from bad news and try not to be a lame duck.
—
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
But simply by floating the idea, and reminding the public that the 2028 election is still a ways off, Trump fueled speculation about his political future that is likely to linger for years to come — long past the time when most second term presidents become lame ducks.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Hartzell, who became president in April 2020, will be a lame duck just as the state's flagship university will play defense at the Texas Legislature.
—Asher Price, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
Blizzard and others also dismissed the notion that Trump needs to do anything to stay relevant politically and avoid becoming a lame duck.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lame duck
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Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
But simply by floating the idea, and reminding the public that the 2028 election is still a ways off, Trump fueled speculation about his political future that is likely to linger for years to come — long past the time when most second term presidents become lame ducks.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Hartzell, who became president in April 2020, will be a lame duck just as the state's flagship university will play defense at the Texas Legislature.
—Asher Price, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
Blizzard and others also dismissed the notion that Trump needs to do anything to stay relevant politically and avoid becoming a lame duck.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lame duck
Cite this Entry
“Lame duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lame%20duck. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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