straw man

noun

1
: a weak or imaginary opposition (such as an argument or adversary) set up only to be easily confuted
2
: a person set up to serve as a cover for a usually questionable transaction

Examples of straw man in a Sentence

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.
The true villain is Zac, who is really just a straw man for the Mormon church. Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 16 May 2025 Tapper's stutter straw man is easily knocked over with just a few undeniable truths: reading stage directions out loud repeatedly isn't stuttering. Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 This opening skit is a voicemail worrying about singer Tyler Hubbard’s choice of car, creating a straw man argument to segue into the first song. Brendan Hay, SPIN, 28 Jan. 2025 The bread debacle can seem like a straw man designed to make the whole system look pointless and unworkable. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for straw man

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of straw man was in 1840

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Cite this Entry

“Straw man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straw%20man. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

straw man

noun
: an intermediary for a transaction (as a conveyance of real property)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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