as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
Gorman’s death quickly became a lightning rod in the polarizing discourse over immigration policy, as national and local conservative politicians placed blame on the state’s sanctuary laws.
—
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Coulter became a lightning rod for the evening, ultimately overshadowing Lowe at his own roast.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
With a growing share of Americans turning against the AI construction boom, data centers have become a convenient lightning rod for rising power bills.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 20 May 2026
But Ono quickly became a political lightning rod.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Coulter became a lightning rod for the evening, ultimately overshadowing Lowe at his own roast.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
With a growing share of Americans turning against the AI construction boom, data centers have become a convenient lightning rod for rising power bills.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 20 May 2026
But Ono quickly became a political lightning rod.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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Everyone else would be a sitting duck, or at the very least extremely annoyed.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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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.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
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The middle class or big corporations don’t want to become the mayor’s whipping boy.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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District officials believe the aging of existing farmers with no succession plans, less valuable soils in that area, and the current low prices for commodities make financial incentives more attractive and the target attainable.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
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The ingredient lineup champions prickly pear cactus extract, which draws moisture into the skin and provides a rich source of vitamin K to support elasticity, while Persian silk tree extract targets signs of fatigue.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Midland Memorial Hospital received nine of the victims connected to the active shooter incident.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
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The pope also met abuse survivors privately and urged Spain’s bishops to listen to victims and make reparations.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Babies are handed six-shooters before the butt slap.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
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The oddity is owed to political butt hurt.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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If the snake population continues to decline, this could have harmful effects on the ecosystem, as snakes are both intermediate and apex predators, serving as both predator and prey.—
Carson Bonner,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
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Tens of thousands drowned, while others were raped, robbed, and murdered by pirates, finding vulnerable prey.—
Elizabeth Holtzman,
Time,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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