as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
Just a few more blocks away is the derelict CVS that has become a lightning rod of neighborhood fury, a monument to gross neglect.
—
Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
But soon after publication, the report from the EAT-Lancet Commission became a lightning rod.
—Bloomberg News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Kalaja’s killing quickly became a lightning rod for nationwide dissatisfaction with the Albanian judiciary.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
But elections could act as a lightning rod for frustration over political repression to tip over into unrest.
—semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
But soon after publication, the report from the EAT-Lancet Commission became a lightning rod.
—Bloomberg News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Kalaja’s killing quickly became a lightning rod for nationwide dissatisfaction with the Albanian judiciary.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
But elections could act as a lightning rod for frustration over political repression to tip over into unrest.
—semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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Shipping lanes suffered, neutrality became meaningless, and actual fishing vessels became sitting ducks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Dec. 2025
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In other words, a sitting duck.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Gordie is invisible to his mother and a whipping boy to his father.—
Sezin Devi Koehler September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Yet Hojlund only has to look at Scott McTominay and how Conte revitalised his career in Naples after years of being a United whipping boy by some sections of the fan base.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Omar has been the target of many GOP attacks in recent years.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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When Israel launched the surprise war against Iran last summer, the depth of its infiltration became evident when it was revealed that Israeli intelligence agents smuggled weapons into the country and used them to strike high-value targets from within Iranian territory.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Police said evidence suggested Salat was aware of the victim’s age and attempted to meet with the child in person.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And true to the brand’s fit, the backside pockets are cleverly placed to add a butt-lifting effect.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
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If that means being the frequent butt of jokes for his age, that's fine, too.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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British explorer Colonel Percy Fawcett, who wandered the Amazon for 22 years at the beginning of the 20th century before vanishing without a trace, wrote that the breath of the anaconda stupefied its prey.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Bring in your bird feeders overnight to avoid attracting coyote prey.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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