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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Once in orbit, the satellite will unfold a mirror that measures 60 by 60 feet (18 by 18 meters) in order to demonstrate its ability to direct sunlight down onto targets on Earth.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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For the Texans, Nico Collins left the game early with a head injury, finishing with only four catches for 27 yards on 10 targets.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Remoteness draws the witness — or victim — forward and into the circle of the predator’s personality.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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And at its climax, the Grabber, the franchise killer played by Ethan Hawke, gracefully stalks his victims on ice skates, ready to lop some heads with an axe.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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