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
Maybe instead of rats the cartoon should show sitting ducks.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 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
This sitting duck would be another victim in the submarine’s reign of terror.
—Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
The alternative: Residents risk being sitting ducks for future blazes.
Consider Pacific Palisades.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 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
This sitting duck would be another victim in the submarine’s reign of terror.
—Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
The alternative: Residents risk being sitting ducks for future blazes.
Consider Pacific Palisades.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting duck
Noun
-
Wagner said in June that winning back-to-back promotions is a realistic target, a feat Norwich, Southampton and Ipswich Town have all pulled off over the past 15 years.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The decision sparked a firestorm on social media — where much of the debate around these issues is taking place — and Jackson-Smith was the target of abusive and threatening comments from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine supporters.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The remains of about 1,100 victims are unidentified, the OCME said.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The shooting victims are in stable condition, and Radford is in custody.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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