as in sitting duck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lightning rod
Between the lines: Sacks has been a lightning rod for controversy in recent months.
—
Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
In the late 1970s, plans for the building became a lightning rod for racist-tinged opposition.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024
Trump has become such a political lightning rod here that Democrats running for all offices, including state legislative races, often focus much of their messages on their opposition to the former president, noted state Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod 
Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
In the late 1970s, plans for the building became a lightning rod for racist-tinged opposition.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024
Trump has become such a political lightning rod here that Democrats running for all offices, including state legislative races, often focus much of their messages on their opposition to the former president, noted state Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
-
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
-
Rachel secures her spot in the Final 6, leaving Sam and Genevieve once again as sitting ducks.Nick Caruso, TVLine, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Almost a year ago, David Alaba became a victim of the same knock and still hasn't returned to the pitch while others including Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe have been out for weeks at a time towards the end of the year.Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims while visiting the French Mediterranean island of Corsica on Sunday.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The snapper begins by setting his feet wide and hunkering down, making sure his butt isn’t too high or too low.David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
-
My butt was covered in ornaments, including large baubles and pointy wooden edges.Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
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
-
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 26 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share