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
  • With that said, Spanish star Rodri will have a target on his back (or, more appropriately, his ankles).
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • By crunching massive amounts of data in a short time, AI can help identify and strike enemy targets.
    — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • Jones said Velasquez and the victim were close friends and lived just a few miles apart.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • Patel arrived in Jakarta shortly after talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet concerning joint efforts to combat international online scam operations that cheat victims out of billions of dollars annually.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of victim

Browse Nearby Words

sitting
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 25 Jul. 2026.

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