as in sitting duck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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
By far, Morant was the biggest lightning rod for execs explaining why Memphis hadn’t taken another step forward.
—
John Hollinger, New York Times, 2 May 2025
His presence in the White House was also a lightning rod for far-right activists, including Laura Loomer, a firebrand right-wing commentator who is known to have Trump’s ear.
—Nik Popli, Time, 1 May 2025
In recent years, the area has become a lightning rod for DIY sorts—artisan cheesemakers, kombucha brewers, ceramicists, knife sharpeners.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Town hall meetings are likely to continue acting as a lightning rod for those angry about the Trump administration's policies.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
John Hollinger, New York Times, 2 May 2025
His presence in the White House was also a lightning rod for far-right activists, including Laura Loomer, a firebrand right-wing commentator who is known to have Trump’s ear.
—Nik Popli, Time, 1 May 2025
In recent years, the area has become a lightning rod for DIY sorts—artisan cheesemakers, kombucha brewers, ceramicists, knife sharpeners.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Town hall meetings are likely to continue acting as a lightning rod for those angry about the Trump administration's policies.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
-
Drones like the Shahed which fly in a straight line with no attempt to evade ought to be sitting ducks.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
-
Once the safety car ended, Verstappen was essentially a sitting duck, immediately losing the rear of the RB-21 and just managing to keep it on the track.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
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
-
Israeli officials have also suggested that regime change in Iran is among the goals of their war, and that Khamenei could be a target for assassination.—
Colin Meyn,
The Hill,
22 June 2025
-
Countries that have managed to build their own nuclear weapons, such as North Korea, become much harder targets for attacks.—
Matthew Tostevin
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Upon arrival at around 3:35 a.m., officers witnessed the suspect shoot one of the victims through the open front door.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
-
The victim has suffered trauma to the head from a blunt object, but did not appear to be shot, police said.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Also, a butt fell several floors below on the balcony and burned a hole in resident’s outdoor sofa?—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2025
-
Dealing with achy stiffness in the back of your thighs can be a real pain in the butt.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
These predators typically patrol altitudes below 10,000 feet, especially around dawn when their prey begins flying again after nighttime rest.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
To test the theory, researchers analyzed the isotopes in the individual whiskers of leopard seals to identify their prey sources over a period of multiple years, according to a June 24 news release from the Georgia Aquarium, which was involved in the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share