as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
At the city, its DROP became a lightning rod during its larger pension scandal in the early 2000s.
—
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
The incident is the latest explosion on the lightning rod issue of education access for immigrant children during this legislative session.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Ozzy was crowned as the genre’s spokesperson, mascot, and lightning rod.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 July 2025
With aid for Ukraine becoming a political lightning rod, sweeping credible allegations under the rug and pretending there is no problem is not the right move.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
The incident is the latest explosion on the lightning rod issue of education access for immigrant children during this legislative session.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Ozzy was crowned as the genre’s spokesperson, mascot, and lightning rod.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 July 2025
With aid for Ukraine becoming a political lightning rod, sweeping credible allegations under the rug and pretending there is no problem is not the right move.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
-
Humans are sitting ducks for this application of an intimate, emotional chat bot that provides constant validation without the friction of having to deal with another person’s needs.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
-
Drones like the Shahed which fly in a straight line with no attempt to evade ought to be sitting ducks.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
On Tuesday Bayern Munich takes on Benfica and Boca Juniors faces whipping boys Auckland City.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Once more, Turkey seems to have become a whipping boy for all manner of interests, some of which have little to do with the realities of Turkey itself.—
Hugh Pope,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Oct. 2010
Noun
-
While the United Nations references attacks, its reporting has not detailed deaths or specified the targets.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The decision sparked a firestorm on social media — where much of the debate around these issues is taking place — and Jackson-Smith was the target of abusive and threatening comments from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine supporters.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Spohr died after being shot once in the head during the burglary at the couple’s Homewood residence on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, the victims’ family has said.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Both of those victims were taken to Jackson Park Community Hospital.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Buckle the butt crack with your best pal for 400 miles.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Of course, part of the problem is self-inflicted: Sloppy work crews leave manholes open and expose the cables to potential damage from nesting animals or a stray cigarette butt that ignites tumbleweed and melts the cables.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The team believes that these parasites can directly infect the otters themselves instead of their prey.—
Laura Baisas Aug 14,
Popular Science,
14 Aug. 2025
-
They are known for being ambush predators who lie in wait until their prey comes along, usually feasting on small mammals or birds.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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