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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Recent Examples of sitting duck
Drones like the Shahed which fly in a straight line with no attempt to evade ought to be sitting ducks.
—
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Once the safety car ended, Verstappen was essentially a sitting duck, immediately losing the rear of the RB-21 and just managing to keep it on the track.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
As stars sit around, waiting for a random ring that will change their life, often surrounded by TV cameras ready to broadcast the moment to the world, they’re reduced to sitting ducks.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 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
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Once the safety car ended, Verstappen was essentially a sitting duck, immediately losing the rear of the RB-21 and just managing to keep it on the track.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
As stars sit around, waiting for a random ring that will change their life, often surrounded by TV cameras ready to broadcast the moment to the world, they’re reduced to sitting ducks.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 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
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting duck
Noun
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Palace’s main approach to attacking corners isn’t complicated, but stopping them is easier said than done because the routines and target zones vary, and the delivery is often excellent.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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The 25-year-old Rice led all Chiefs receivers in receptions (79), targets (102), receiving yards (932), and touchdowns (seven) two seasons ago as a rookie.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors previously said the victims — Cesar Armando Murillo, 44, and Maira Sofia Hernandez, 33, both residents of Yakima — disappeared just days after federal agents interviewed them in relation to a drug-trafficking investigation.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
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Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields platforms from liability for what users post, leaving victims and their families with limited legal footing against them.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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