SITTING DUCKS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

sitting ducks

noun

plural of sitting duck

as in targets

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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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 ducks In Ukraine, tanks—the backbone of 20th-century armies—have become sitting ducks for drones. — Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 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. — William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026 But the companies that transport oil have parked their tankers on either side of the waterway, fearing their huge cargos would be sitting ducks for drone or missile attacks from Tehran as the war escalates. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026 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 Club owners are kind of sitting ducks. — Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025 Prisoners feared they were purposefully trapped in the A Tunnel, sitting ducks for a response from corrections officers. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025 Those lucky/sitting ducks were at the center of a manifold creative pressure, like the core of a planet pulled spherical by gravity. — Kate Colby october 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting ducks

Noun

Over 43,300 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russia and illegally annexed Crimea in June, July and August, according to Defense Ministry data compiled by The Associated Press, although some clearly hit their targets.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Two of Newcastle’s top summer targets went elsewhere, despite deals being in place for both.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of targets

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
The victims were identified as Michael Newman, 41, and Stephen Scott, 28, reported the Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network.

— Josh Kelly, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of victims

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sitting duck

sitting ducks

sitting in

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“Sitting ducks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20ducks. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sitting ducks

noun

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