as in sitting duck
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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
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.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
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But the companies that transport oil have parked their tankers on either side of the waterway, fearing their huge cargos would be sitting ducks for drone or missile attacks from Tehran as the war escalates.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 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
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The new Type-12, however, would provide Japan with counter-strike or pre-emptive strike capabilities to hit targets from its shores.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The home team outshot the Summit 20-6, including a 6-2 edge in shots on target.—
Harold Gutmann,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The other victim was last reported to be in critical condition.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The alleged victim was 9 at the time.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Accidentally running face-first into your mom’s butt is funny, no matter your species.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
20 Mar. 2026
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The whisky was initially aged in Oloroso sherry butts that came from Spain.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Most people initially become aware of the reptiles by hearing their rattles, which the snakes use to try to scare off aggressors or to distract prey.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Davis used tuning forks to simulate prey vibrations near roadsides and found the spiders’ overall health was unaffected by urban stressors.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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