paper tiger

noun

: one that is outwardly powerful or dangerous but inwardly weak or ineffectual

Examples of paper tiger in a Sentence

The new laws are just paper tigers without any method of enforcement.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Go and deal with this paper tiger. — Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 The only thing that the Democrats and these crazy liberals have is this paper tiger. — FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Until last weekend, Beijing’s statutes were a paper tiger. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 4 May 2026 But the requirement of Senate confirmation is not a paper tiger. — George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for paper tiger

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paper tiger was in 1836

Rhymes for paper tiger

See All Rhymes for paper tiger

Browse Nearby Words

paper-thin
paper tiger
paper towel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paper tiger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20tiger. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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