lightning rod
noun
1
: a grounded metallic rod set up on a structure (such as a building) to protect it from lightning
2
: one that serves to divert attack from another
3
: one that is a frequent target of criticism or focus of controversy
she has become a convenient lightning rod for voters' discontent with law-and-order issues—
Aric Press et al.
Aric Press et al.Examples of lightning rod in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On top of that, proxy votes have become increasingly politicized, particularly in the US, where environmental or social issues have become a lightning rod.
—Sarah Keohane Williamson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Naomi Osaka was a tennis phenomenon — having won two Grand Slam titles by age 22 — who soon became a lightning rod over the subject of mental health in sports.
—Skyler Trepel Published, EW.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The 59-year-old also took the opportunity to encourage recruitment to the federal agency, which has become a lightning rod amid President Trump’s controversial mass deportation agenda.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Breaking it down by brand: CBS The stalwart network, a lightning rod in the Skydance Paramount deal for several reasons, has plenty going for it despite the overall decline of linear TV viewership.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
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Sarah Keohane Williamson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Naomi Osaka was a tennis phenomenon — having won two Grand Slam titles by age 22 — who soon became a lightning rod over the subject of mental health in sports.
—Skyler Trepel Published, EW.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The 59-year-old also took the opportunity to encourage recruitment to the federal agency, which has become a lightning rod amid President Trump’s controversial mass deportation agenda.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Breaking it down by brand: CBS The stalwart network, a lightning rod in the Skydance Paramount deal for several reasons, has plenty going for it despite the overall decline of linear TV viewership.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightning%20rod. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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