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
Relevance
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
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
-
But the Chinese side lagged on targets for the purchase of American goods and services.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Second, the government data flow has been choppy in October, but alternative indicators and prior releases still point to slower growth alongside inflation that remains above target but trending less sticky at the margin.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Usiripalli is accused of lunging at the second victim, who was seated to the right of the first victim, and stabbed him.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The study, the first of its kind locally, was conducted by Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee, the state's largest advocacy organization for victims of domestic violence.—
Ashley Luthern,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share