as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
Its octopus-like horizontal limbs seemingly defy gravity, although some are held up with suspension cables, and the tree is rigged with a lightning rod.
—
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
This is despite the European version becoming a lightning rod for political tensions, with several countries planning to boycott the 70th edition in May over Israel’s inclusion.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Kiswani has been a lightning rod for political controversy, even taking stands against Mayor Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor and staunch proponent of Palestinian rights.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Among the schools that will be anxiously waiting tonight’s bracket reveal is Miami (Ohio), whose résumé became a lightning rod for debate.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
This is despite the European version becoming a lightning rod for political tensions, with several countries planning to boycott the 70th edition in May over Israel’s inclusion.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Kiswani has been a lightning rod for political controversy, even taking stands against Mayor Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor and staunch proponent of Palestinian rights.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Among the schools that will be anxiously waiting tonight’s bracket reveal is Miami (Ohio), whose résumé became a lightning rod for debate.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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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
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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.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
The Chargers’ Ladd McConkey put up a Pro-Bowl caliber campaign in ’24 as a first-year target (82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, seven scores), while Rashod Bateman’s numbers as a rookie in ’22 were merely serviceable (46 grabs, 515 yards, one TD).—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Higher-income targets may see investment scams.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nataliia had gone to the bus station, where soldiers were spraying foam to contain the nuclear fallout, and to the hospital, where men in white coats were unloading victims on stretchers from the backs of ambulances.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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At the time, Esperanza-Pacheco was working as a pastor at God’s Lighthouse of Truth in Richmond, where the victim and her family were members and had developed a friendship with him.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite all of this, the 'Boys seem to be the butt of many jokes on the internet thanks to their myriad of disappointing finishes and lofty expectations from fans over the last 30 years.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
People in this area are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pets resemble natural prey to alligators.—
Mark Price
April 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
-
At other times, as was the case in the display photographed, there is no prey animal in sight, and the dance seems simply to be an expression of exuberance.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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