SITTING DUCKS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

sitting ducks

noun

plural of sitting duck

as in targets

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 ducks In Ukraine, tanks—the backbone of 20th-century armies—have become sitting ducks for drones. — Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 As labor complications ensue, a blizzard rages outside trapping the family in their home – sitting ducks for whatever sinister presence might be in there with them. — William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026 As labor complications ensue, a blizzard rages outside trapping the family in their home – sitting ducks for whatever sinister presence might be in there with them. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026 But the companies that transport oil have parked their tankers on either side of the waterway, fearing their huge cargos would be sitting ducks for drone or missile attacks from Tehran as the war escalates. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026 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 Club owners are kind of sitting ducks. — Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025 Prisoners feared they were purposefully trapped in the A Tunnel, sitting ducks for a response from corrections officers. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting ducks

Noun

As in previous days, the targets were largely in southern and coastal locations, including an area near a cancer hospital in Khuzestan province, Iran’s semi-official agency Mehr News said.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
When total daily food volume drops, a nutrient-dense first meal sets the tone for hitting muscle-preserving protein targets before appetite fades later in the day.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 15, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Definition of targets

Noun

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
Like his Borat character, Cohen interviews people on the street as Ali G and often gets himself into hilarious and cringe-worthy situations with unknowing victims.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 22 July 2026

Definition of victims

Browse Nearby Words

sitting duck

sitting ducks

sitting in

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sitting ducks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20ducks. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sitting ducks

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

maverick

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes