sitting duck

noun

Definition of sitting ducknext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sitting duck Other than Adobe, which is expensive but very good, these companies are not sitting ducks. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026 Shipping lanes suffered, neutrality became meaningless, and actual fishing vessels became sitting ducks. — New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025 In other words, a sitting duck. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025 Club owners are kind of sitting ducks. — Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting duck
  1. target
  2. victim
Noun
  • An executive nobody had heard of became a target of online attacks for the offense of trying to turn around a fading chicken and biscuits restaurant.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The 2017 legislation also set a goal reaching 90% adequacy statewide by 2027 — a target many advocates even then viewed as improbable, if not impossible.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • The hearing in Barrow County court is expected to begin with victims’ families and survivors, many of whom spoke powerfully at Colt’s sentencing.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Shanon Gray, an attorney representing the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves, disputed the significance of the evidence.
    — Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of victim

Browse Nearby Words

sitting
sitting duck
sitting ducks
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Cite this Entry

“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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