lightning rod

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 Its longtime president, Randi Weingarten, is a political lightning rod. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025 She's been viewed by members of both major parties as both a lightning rod and an advocate for change, in a similar vein to President Donald Trump himself. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 Not so for these nuptials, which have become a lightning rod for protests. Paolo Santalucia, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025 The footage is challenging stereotypes surrounding a breed that has become a lightning rod for controversy across the U.K., where the family are based. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 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
  • As things stand, Díaz could be the latest target Bayern fails to sign this summer.
    Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Microsoft also has a consensus target of roughly $525, reflecting more than 4% upside potential.
    Sean Conlon, CNBC, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The store brand juggernaut triggered by pandemic-era inflation and economic uncertainty has passed a tipping point with consumers and may have claimed its first national brand victim.
    Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • And Singapore just passed an anti-scam law that allows law enforcement to freeze the bank accounts of scam victims.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Kena Betancur | Getty Images The Garden State has always been the butt of jokes.
    Scott Cohn, CNBC, 14 July 2025
  • Don't be mistaken, though: The list of cosmetic enhancements isn't exclusive to injections, as the show also explores stars who've undergone a variety of invasive and non-invasive procedures, such as Brazilian butt lifts, breast implants and facial threading.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Several tyrannosaur species often lived side by side, each focused on different prey.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2025
  • The Yautja hunter Dek is an outcast from his tribe who hunts a seemingly unkillable prey, aided by the android Thia.
    Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lightning rod

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!