as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
The death of Riley, a 22-year-old woman who was murdered by Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant, on Feb. 22, 2024, fueled the immigration debate in the United States and became a lightning rod issue for Trump on the campaign trail.
—
Lauren Peller, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Politics Loved or hated, lawmaker Scott Wiener is a lightning rod who could make history
April 27, 2023
Come January, Republicans will control the White House and both chambers of Congress.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
In recent years, CRT has become a lightning rod for Republicans, including Trump, who hang their arguments on a nebulous definition of the theory.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
In recent years, DEI has become a social and political lightning rod for lawmakers, corporate leaders and conservative activists who have sought to cast such initiatives as unfair and even racist, with some emboldened by the Supreme Court’s gutting of affirmative action.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Lauren Peller, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Politics Loved or hated, lawmaker Scott Wiener is a lightning rod who could make history
April 27, 2023
Come January, Republicans will control the White House and both chambers of Congress.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
In recent years, CRT has become a lightning rod for Republicans, including Trump, who hang their arguments on a nebulous definition of the theory.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
In recent years, DEI has become a social and political lightning rod for lawmakers, corporate leaders and conservative activists who have sought to cast such initiatives as unfair and even racist, with some emboldened by the Supreme Court’s gutting of affirmative action.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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This sitting duck would be another victim in the submarine’s reign of terror.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
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The alternative: Residents risk being sitting ducks for future blazes. Consider Pacific Palisades.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC News,
22 Jan. 2025
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
-
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 part of the agreement with medical device makers, overseen by Congress, the FDA aimed to meet hiring targets for each year of the latest iteration of MDUFA.—
Michael Erman,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
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Analyze their brand messaging, target audience, and marketing materials.—
Abdo Riani,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Since its inception in 2011, the CFPB said its enforcement actions in 42 cases involving harm to service members and veterans have delivered $183 million in redress to victims.—
Melissa Chan,
NBC News,
20 Feb. 2025
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The term has been applied to other groups as well: Teachers, health care workers, government officials and public safety professionals may encounter mandates that threaten to compromise their values, witness morally repugnant behavior or become a victim of somebody else’s transgression.—
Christina Caron,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Of course, most of the action over at Vula centered around the Beware Advantage that Sai located, which led to a cryptogram puzzle involving animals, colors, letters, and the butt doctor’s unscrambling skills.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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Grab one ankle and gently pull your heel back toward your butt.—
Margaret Cirino,
NPR,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Both types of bass are highly efficient apex predators that hunt down baitfish and other prey.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
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For animals like dogs, cats, and monkeys, ear movement helps track sounds, which is crucial for detecting predators or prey.—
Clarissa Brincat,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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