as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
The iPhone Ultra is a high-margin smartphone that can serve as a lightning rod to attract the highest and most affluent consumers.
—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
In recent years, drag has been positioned as a cultural lightning rod as part of a right-wing political effort to paint drag artists as depraved actors out to pervert gender norms, especially for children.
—
David MacK,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
As vilification of the Founders and the Revolution became more common, both in academia and in society at large, Wood functioned as part elder statesman and part lightning rod.
—
Craig Bruce Smith,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
The fund quickly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill, with many Republicans bucking the White House and opposing it.
—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
In recent years, drag has been positioned as a cultural lightning rod as part of a right-wing political effort to paint drag artists as depraved actors out to pervert gender norms, especially for children.
—
David MacK,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
As vilification of the Founders and the Revolution became more common, both in academia and in society at large, Wood functioned as part elder statesman and part lightning rod.
—
Craig Bruce Smith,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
The fund quickly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill, with many Republicans bucking the White House and opposing it.
—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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In Ukraine, tanks—the backbone of 20th-century armies—have become sitting ducks for drones.
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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.
Noun
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The former Maple Leaf was a whipping boy in Toronto whenever the Leafs couldn't get past the second round of the playoffs, but his first postseason in Vegas has been downright magical.
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The middle class or big corporations don’t want to become the mayor’s whipping boy.
Noun
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The Angels’ lucky Pikachu might not be a trade target going into the deadline.
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Spurs have approached this summer window with a determination to back their head coach, and to be ruthless and decisive in their pursuit of targets.
Noun
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The families of the victims said the pain is still as raw to this day.
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Most of the victims lived nearby, and funeral prayers were expected later Tuesday.
Noun
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This girl in front of me backed up and started pushing her butt against my crotch.
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Her bodycon mermaid skirt was covered in diagonal rows of slits, exposing glimpses of her legs, hips, and butt.
Noun
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Many individuals fall prey to emotional pitfalls like fear, greed, or shame, leading to impulsive spending, credit card debt, and neglecting long-term goals like retirement.
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Cod are slow to grow and reproduce, and the effects of climate change—warming their waters and reducing their preferred prey—didn’t help.
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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