as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
Its longtime president, Randi Weingarten, is a political lightning rod.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
She's been viewed by members of both major parties as both a lightning rod and an advocate for change, in a similar vein to President Donald Trump himself.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Not so for these nuptials, which have become a lightning rod for protests.
—Paolo Santalucia, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
The footage is challenging stereotypes surrounding a breed that has become a lightning rod for controversy across the U.K., where the family are based.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
She's been viewed by members of both major parties as both a lightning rod and an advocate for change, in a similar vein to President Donald Trump himself.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Not so for these nuptials, which have become a lightning rod for protests.
—Paolo Santalucia, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
The footage is challenging stereotypes surrounding a breed that has become a lightning rod for controversy across the U.K., where the family are based.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
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Humans are sitting ducks for this application of an intimate, emotional chat bot that provides constant validation without the friction of having to deal with another person’s needs.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
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Drones like the Shahed which fly in a straight line with no attempt to evade ought to be sitting ducks.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
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On Tuesday Bayern Munich takes on Benfica and Boca Juniors faces whipping boys Auckland City.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Once more, Turkey seems to have become a whipping boy for all manner of interests, some of which have little to do with the realities of Turkey itself.—
Hugh Pope,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Oct. 2010
Noun
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The business had also been the target of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the past year.—
Rod McGuirk,
Sun Sentinel,
15 July 2025
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As things stand, Díaz could be the latest target Bayern fails to sign this summer.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Democratic members of Congress have objected to the wave of settler violence, arguing that U.S. citizens are falling victim.—
Noah Robertson The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
26 July 2025
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Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins drew parallels to other high-profile cases, suggesting the victim, Latasha White, deserves the same level of respect and investigation as Crystal Rogers and Breonna Taylor.—
Marina Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Kena Betancur | Getty Images The Garden State has always been the butt of jokes.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
14 July 2025
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Don't be mistaken, though: The list of cosmetic enhancements isn't exclusive to injections, as the show also explores stars who've undergone a variety of invasive and non-invasive procedures, such as Brazilian butt lifts, breast implants and facial threading.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Several tyrannosaur species often lived side by side, each focused on different prey.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 July 2025
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The Yautja hunter Dek is an outcast from his tribe who hunts a seemingly unkillable prey, aided by the android Thia.—
Michileen Martin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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