lightning rod

Definition of lightning rodnext

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 For the past several months, the board has been a lightning rod of controversy. Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026 Even before The Traitors, Underwood has been a lightning rod for reality fans. Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 26 Feb. 2026 With Las Vegas rebuilding a thin roster and Philadelphia looking to calm the waters around lightning rod quarterback Jalen Hurts, sources believe there is a good chance both players could be dealt. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026 Amid the fractious national political environment, the Netflix-WBD deal has become a lightning rod for critics. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • Some notable celebrity targets include Anthony Edwards, Terrance Crawford, Keith Lee, Kai Cenat and many more.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Operationally, Dark Eagle is built to strike high-value targets in contested environments.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Both victims were under age 5 at the time of the crime, according to the statement.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Police say identifying additional victims or witnesses will be critical as the investigation continues.
    Jamie Leary, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Everyone is urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The flesh looked like a human brain and smelled like rotten hamburger meat wrapped in gym socks wrapped in butt.
    Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This year, the unusually warm weather in March, plant abundance and a healthy amount of prey were early signals to rattlesnakes to begin their activity.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Noise could disrupt the whales’ foraging behavior, while increased global warming — tied to the burning of fossil fuels, including oil and gas — could change where their prey fish live, Kiszka said.
    Tammy Webber, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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