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
  • The technique uses reflected light from a laser popped at a target to see the molecular structure of a mineral, which in turn reveals the mineral's composition.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The system directs concentrated energy at a vulnerable part of an incoming object until the target is disabled or destroyed.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • The brothers previously faced rape and human trafficking charges in Britain in connection to three alleged victims, CPS said.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The special, produced in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, will honor the victims killed, and commemorate the resilience of the survivors, families, first responders, and communities whose lives were forever altered by the attacks.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of victim

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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 14 Sep. 2026.

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