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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sitting duck
This sitting duck would be another victim in the submarine’s reign of terror.
—
Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
The alternative: Residents risk being sitting ducks for future blazes.
Consider Pacific Palisades.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Which had those seals, as Oats put it, out there in the open like sitting ducks.
—Cj Moore, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Gi-hun and Player 001 debated about whether to proactively attack the other side during the night, rather than just be sitting ducks.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
The alternative: Residents risk being sitting ducks for future blazes.
Consider Pacific Palisades.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Which had those seals, as Oats put it, out there in the open like sitting ducks.
—Cj Moore, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Gi-hun and Player 001 debated about whether to proactively attack the other side during the night, rather than just be sitting ducks.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sitting duck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sitting duck
Noun
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But interceptor missiles for Israel's vaunted Iron Dome short-range air defense system cost tens of thousands of dollars each, racking up an eye-watering bill when defending against high numbers of targets.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
Lazard had the worst drop rate among wide receivers with at least 45 targets each of the last two seasons: 17.8 in 2024, 17.9 in 2023.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The victim, who suffered a laceration to the head, was transported by EMS to Lincoln Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
-
The victim, who sustained serious injuries, was transported to a local hospital.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sitting duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sitting%20duck. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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