as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
In recent years, drag has been positioned as a cultural lightning rod as part of a right-wing political effort to paint drag artists as depraved actors out to pervert gender norms, especially for children.
—
David MacK,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
As vilification of the Founders and the Revolution became more common, both in academia and in society at large, Wood functioned as part elder statesman and part lightning rod.
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Craig Bruce Smith,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
The fund quickly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill, with many Republicans bucking the White House and opposing it.
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Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
No tracks would seem out of place strewn across the Abbey Road Studios cutting room floor — like if that fabled rooftop concert had been a lightning rod for entry into the powerpop mayhem of the ’70s rather than ultimately the final page of the storybook.
—
Aaron Davis,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
David MacK,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
As vilification of the Founders and the Revolution became more common, both in academia and in society at large, Wood functioned as part elder statesman and part lightning rod.
—
Craig Bruce Smith,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
The fund quickly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill, with many Republicans bucking the White House and opposing it.
—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
No tracks would seem out of place strewn across the Abbey Road Studios cutting room floor — like if that fabled rooftop concert had been a lightning rod for entry into the powerpop mayhem of the ’70s rather than ultimately the final page of the storybook.
—
Aaron Davis,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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In Ukraine, tanks—the backbone of 20th-century armies—have become sitting ducks for drones.
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As labor complications ensue, a blizzard rages outside trapping the family in their home – sitting ducks for whatever sinister presence might be in there with them.
Noun
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The former Maple Leaf was a whipping boy in Toronto whenever the Leafs couldn't get past the second round of the playoffs, but his first postseason in Vegas has been downright magical.
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The middle class or big corporations don’t want to become the mayor’s whipping boy.
Noun
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The $160 billion global functional drinks market has become an increasingly lucrative category, encompassing multipurpose drinks that claim to promise taste and enjoyment alongside wellness benefits, as consumers look for convenient ways to meet their health targets.
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Tel Aviv — The small drones cruise – undetected – over the skies of southern Lebanon and northern Israel, searching for targets.
Noun
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Medics rushed the victim to a local hospital for treatment.
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Witnesses told police that the victim had called and reported that O’Neal had assaulted her, the witnesses told police.
Noun
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Cellulite usually happens in areas of the body with more fat, including the butt, hips, and thighs.
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With Ojai, my butt was sore in about 30 minutes versus 10 in the Zoox.
Noun
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The latest celebs to fall prey to the romance rumor mill?
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The study suggests that persistent turbidity plumes created by coastal modification projects may interfere with shark prey capture and could increase the likelihood of unintended human interactions.
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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