sitting duck

noun

Definition of sitting ducknext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sitting duck Other than Adobe, which is expensive but very good, these companies are not sitting ducks. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026 Shipping lanes suffered, neutrality became meaningless, and actual fishing vessels became sitting ducks. — New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025 In other words, a sitting duck. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025 Club owners are kind of sitting ducks. — Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting duck
  1. target
  2. victim
Noun
  • Transits are what revealed most of the more than 6,000 exoplanets now known, and Roman’s planners expect the bulge’s target-rich environment to yield on order of 100,000 more.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2026
  • As a kinetic interceptor, Seeker appears designed to physically strike its target rather than rely on a conventional air-defense warhead.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • Four people with wounds were transported to Hennepin Healthcare to be treated for their injuries, where one of the victims died, Parten said Wednesday afternoon.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Prosecutors argued at trial that Shirilla intentionally drove into the building to end her toxic relationship with Russo and that Flanagan was an unintended victim who happened to be in the car.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of victim

Browse Nearby Words

sitting
sitting duck
sitting ducks
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Cite this Entry

“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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