as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
Columbus Day has long been a political lightning rod given the destruction wrought on native communities after Columbus journeyed to North America, ushering in an age of European exploration of the Western Hemisphere.
—
Andrew Torgan, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024
Phillips never aspired to be a political lightning rod.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Oct. 2024
Between the lines: The debate over the role of natural gas has becoming a political lightning rod in the 2024 election, which could hinge on winning the gas-rich battleground state of Pennsylvania.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024
The Campus boot has become a lightning rod for conversations—or more accurately, arguments—between consumers who claim to have the moral high ground about fashion’s waste problem and its lack of inclusivity.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod 
Andrew Torgan, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024
Phillips never aspired to be a political lightning rod.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Oct. 2024
Between the lines: The debate over the role of natural gas has becoming a political lightning rod in the 2024 election, which could hinge on winning the gas-rich battleground state of Pennsylvania.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024
The Campus boot has become a lightning rod for conversations—or more accurately, arguments—between consumers who claim to have the moral high ground about fashion’s waste problem and its lack of inclusivity.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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According to Deloitte, just 14% of companies are confident in their ability to fill the void left by departing talent, making most companies sitting ducks.Jon Michail, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Rachel secures her spot in the Final 6, leaving Sam and Genevieve once again as sitting ducks.Nick Caruso, TVLine, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Once more, Turkey seems to have become a whipping boy for all manner of interests, some of which have little to do with the realities of Turkey itself.Hugh Pope, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2010
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The Republicans and their puppet master, Donald Trump, are ginning up the machine against immigration and making Mayorkas their whipping boy for chaos at the border.New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
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As of October, Japan hosted 2.05 million foreign workers, but the country must more than triple this number by 2040 to meet its economic growth targets, the government's Japan International Cooperation Agency has projected.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
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But the recent uptick has reversed some progress made at the start of this year that had landed price increases right near the Fed's target of 2%.Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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All these factors add up to create a particularly toxic mix for both victims of abuse and their abusers.Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 16 Dec. 2024
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Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims while visiting the French Mediterranean island of Corsica on Sunday.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The case drew international headlines and became the butt of late-night comedy show jokes.Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 9 Dec. 2024
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The butt of the firearm is visible but the gun itself cannot be removed without the owner's fingerprint.John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Once in place, researchers could visualize and observe which motor neurons lit up during what activities, such as bobbing the illicium to attract prey.Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
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But Americans must guard carefully against falling prey to our own illusions and our own folly.Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near lightning rod
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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