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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For English language arts, which includes reading, writing, speaking and listening, the district came one percentage point shy of the state average, with 49% of students meeting their individualized growth targets.—
Dmitry Martirosov,
Arkansas Online,
12 Nov. 2025
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DeVonta Smith is the top target for Hurts with 44 receptions for 588 yards and two scores, while tight end Dallas Goedert has seven TD catches.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The title especially stings for the many survivors of violence and persecution under Suharto’s rule – and the families of his victims.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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In an email, Victoria Police confirmed the victims were a 33-year-old woman and a 7-year-old boy from Doveton.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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