sitting duck

noun

: an easy or defenseless target

Examples of sitting duck in a Sentence

The tourists were sitting ducks for local thieves. those stupid comments just made him a sitting duck for comedians
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Servicemembers are also sitting ducks, transporting fuel trucks in war zones, so reducing fuel needs could save their lives. Joan Michelson, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Intercepts have been easy because the scout drones are sitting ducks. David Hambling, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 Matthew Stafford was a sitting duck in the Rams’ 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024 Some former Secret Service officials also said the evacuation route essentially made Trump a sitting duck. Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for sitting duck 

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sitting duck was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near sitting duck

Cite this Entry

“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sitting%20duck. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sitting duck

noun
: an easy or defenseless target
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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