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
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
Once the safety car ended, Verstappen was essentially a sitting duck, immediately losing the rear of the RB-21 and just managing to keep it on the track.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
As stars sit around, waiting for a random ring that will change their life, often surrounded by TV cameras ready to broadcast the moment to the world, they’re reduced to sitting ducks.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2025
To the Mach 4 missiles, capable of taking out jets maneuvering at high speed , a Shahed is a sitting duck.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Once the safety car ended, Verstappen was essentially a sitting duck, immediately losing the rear of the RB-21 and just managing to keep it on the track.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
As stars sit around, waiting for a random ring that will change their life, often surrounded by TV cameras ready to broadcast the moment to the world, they’re reduced to sitting ducks.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2025
To the Mach 4 missiles, capable of taking out jets maneuvering at high speed , a Shahed is a sitting duck.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting duck
Noun
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Doing Your College Research Start by researching actual employment outcomes for specific programs at target schools.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Sagapolutele’s top targets have been UNLV senior transfer wide receiver Jacob De Jesus (17 catches, 141 yards, TD), sophomore tight end Mason Mini (13-99, 2 TDs) and senior wide receiver Trond Grizzell (11-175, TD).—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The most successful so far comes from Tampa, where a circuit court judge in August reaffirmed a statewide injunction pausing DOAH hearings after a Hurricane Milton victim argued the company was violating his rights.—
Mario Ariza,
ProPublica,
15 Sep. 2025
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The motion is still pending, and families of the crash victims urged the court to reject it.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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