as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
The debate has become a lightning rod for national thought leaders looking to target California’s policies or the ultra-rich.
—
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Kluwe became a lightning rod for backlash from conservatives in 2025 after his initial viral city council comments in February.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The boat strikes have become a political lightning rod for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, after survivors of a strike in September were killed in what many Democrats have called a war crime.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2025
This groundbreaking film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival and became a lightning rod in the culture wars, with conservative politicians attempting to defund the NEA over its support.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Kluwe became a lightning rod for backlash from conservatives in 2025 after his initial viral city council comments in February.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The boat strikes have become a political lightning rod for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, after survivors of a strike in September were killed in what many Democrats have called a war crime.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2025
This groundbreaking film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival and became a lightning rod in the culture wars, with conservative politicians attempting to defund the NEA over its support.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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In this case, that makes Dumars and his team sitting ducks for anyone else with designs on their score.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2026
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Shipping lanes suffered, neutrality became meaningless, and actual fishing vessels became sitting ducks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
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There will always be whipping boys at the World Cup, a team who arrive underprepared or in chaos of some description.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
13 Nov. 2025
-
Gordie is invisible to his mother and a whipping boy to his father.—
Sezin Devi Koehler September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Two younger craters have since formed within Cassini's expanse, the basins of which are drenched in darkness around the time of the first quarter moon, making for a visually spectacular telescopic target.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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After Sutton, Denver has wide receiver Troy Franklin, tight end Even Enrgam, Harvey and wideout Marvin Mims rounding out its top targets.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Court documents in the federal prosecution of the employee, Jacob Melvin Hart, indicate there could be more juvenile victims from Crossline Community Church.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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All three victims were shot and killed outside the Sky Market on 85th Avenue and International Boulevard, allegedly after the brothers attempted to purchase marijuana from another person who was at the store, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the kids are never the butt of the joke.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
24 Jan. 2026
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One of the more modest cut underwear for women, the bikini briefs style comes in low-, mid-, and high-rises and fits much like a traditional bikini bottom with full coverage across the butt.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
InStyle,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Predator species are crucial to the state’s ecological systems, keeping populations of prey animals like deer and elk from growing too large and boosting biodiversity.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This is where the species spend their productive summer months, feasting on small crustaceans and other seafloor prey.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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