lightning rod

noun

Definition of lightning rodnext
as in sitting duck

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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 lightning rod The ruling has made Sooknanan a lightning rod among conservatives. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2026 The Tottenham full-back has become an emotional lightning rod for fans and his head coach at this World Cup, but his recovery pace and appetite for one-v-one defending will be needed in the difficult conditions of the Azteca. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026 And that’s where Musk somehow is just able to be this movable lightning rod that can do financial alchemy, but then also this attention alchemy. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 Engelbert capitulated hours after Thomas, a lightning rod for controversy following her latest violent on-court altercation with Caitlin Clark, cast herself as the victim. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
  1. sitting duck
  2. whipping boy
  3. target
  4. victim
  5. butt
  6. prey
Noun
  • Only the ridiculous American League could turn Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow from a sitting duck into a potential candidate for Executive of the Year in less than a week.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • In Ukraine, tanks—the backbone of 20th-century armies—have become sitting ducks for drones.
    — Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
Definition of sitting duck
Noun
  • 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.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
  • The middle class or big corporations don’t want to become the mayor’s whipping boy.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of whipping boy
Noun
  • The top quarterbacks in college football, especially in a play-action vertical offense, are typically sitting around 10 yards on average target depth.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 July 2026
  • Instead, the Warriors struck out on their main free-agency target.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • The hearing in Barrow County court is expected to begin with victims’ families and survivors, many of whom spoke powerfully at Colt’s sentencing.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Shanon Gray, an attorney representing the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves, disputed the significance of the evidence.
    — Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • The liability verdict Basabe’s former aide, Nicolas Frevola, testified that Basabe slapped him in the face at a private event in January 2023 and that Basabe slapped his butt without his consent a month prior.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • The snug silhouette works wonders in the butt-lifting department, while the flare bottoms create the illusion of mile-long legs.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 26 July 2026
Definition of butt
Noun
  • Though most attacks are warnings, some bears may attack humans as prey, according to the National Park Service.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026
  • Faced with more predators, prey and competition, their nervous systems rapidly ballooned to meet the new demands.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
Definition of prey

Browse Nearby Words

lightning
lightning rod
lightning rods
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Cite this Entry

“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lightning rod

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lightning rod

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