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 More might be coming, but the Royals reassigned hitting coach Alec Zumwalt, who had become a lightning rod for fan discontent. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026 This has caused a funding crisis that has become something of a lightning rod for culture wars debates over the future of the BBC. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Household costs have become a political lightning rod, both in the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections and again in 2026, ahead of the midterms. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour, in the span of less than two weeks, became an unexpected lightning rod for controversy and conversation about artist activism amid Israel’s deadly war in Gaza. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 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
  • Apparently, this happens all the time because Daisy is Martha’s makeup artist as well as traveling companion, sounding board, and whipping boy.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of whipping boy
Noun
  • The Commission’s proposed 46% target falls short of that ambition, and of its own analysis, which identifies 50% as the economically optimal pathway to 2040.
    — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Musk has a track record of setting optimistic release targets for Tesla products, only to miss them by years.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • In delivering her victim impact statement, Collins’ mother said their family can’t look at a bathtub without thinking of what happened.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The entry is paired with a suite of portraits of a number of Black men and women wearing MooreWraps, versatile multi-wear garments created by Moore’s sister with proceeds donated to victims of domestic violence and incarceration.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • Long before the lucky pregame butt squeezes or the messages written on the back of Haley Cavinder's pants or even taking the heat for Jake Ferguson's bad game, there was the classic shooter taking his shot.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Any piece of trash that's smaller than 2 inches is considered micro-litter, with cigarette butts being the most common.
    — Katie Standing, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of butt
Noun
  • The story follows a celebrated pediatric heart surgeon whose daughter falls prey to a vengeful ghost.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Calvin’s eager-to-please son, Wade (Charlie Heaton), watches his captain fall prey to unnaturally turning tides.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lightning rod

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