as in target
a person or thing that is the object of abuse, criticism, or ridicule
those stupid comments just made him a sitting duck for comedians
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sitting duck
Russian forces trapped in Ukraine would have been sitting ducks for NATO missiles and aircraft.
—
Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
Newsom is a sitting duck waiting to get shellacked.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Without the government’s ability to share robust intelligence about new attack methods, SMBs become sitting ducks for cybercriminals who specifically target organizations that can’t afford to lose days or weeks.
—Cynthia Kaiser, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
Newsom is a sitting duck waiting to get shellacked.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Without the government’s ability to share robust intelligence about new attack methods, SMBs become sitting ducks for cybercriminals who specifically target organizations that can’t afford to lose days or weeks.
—Cynthia Kaiser, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting duck
Noun
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Nvidia did not disclose any financial investment, timeline, or training targets, and did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement As the world fails to meet its 2025 Paris Agreement target, climate leaders from across industries are working overtime to make up for the lack of global governmental action.—
Erin McMullen,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Some analysts argue that while Christians have been targeted by Boko Haram and other Islamist groups seeking to impose their extreme interpretation of Islamic law, Muslims, including those considered moderate, have also been victims of those groups.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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According to the investigators' notes, the victims left a sliding door open on the night of the attack for Goncalves' dog, who was found unharmed in her bed.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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