as in sitting duck
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Recent Examples of lightning rod
Since then, the world’s richest person has been a lightning rod for criticism due to his involvement with DOGE.
—
Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
His electric vehicle manufacturing company Tesla became a political lightning rod as the weeks went on, with protesters expressing their frustrations at company showrooms, charging stations and some vehicles.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 1 May 2025
Yet today, the acronym capturing these three words (DEI) has become a political lightning rod driving decisions like eliminating federal recognition of AANHPI Heritage Month.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Largely because of widespread online misinformation given credence by political leaders on the right, these agencies became lightning rods and officials were vilified by MAGA.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
His electric vehicle manufacturing company Tesla became a political lightning rod as the weeks went on, with protesters expressing their frustrations at company showrooms, charging stations and some vehicles.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 1 May 2025
Yet today, the acronym capturing these three words (DEI) has become a political lightning rod driving decisions like eliminating federal recognition of AANHPI Heritage Month.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Largely because of widespread online misinformation given credence by political leaders on the right, these agencies became lightning rods and officials were vilified by MAGA.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightning rod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning rod
Noun
-
As stars sit around, waiting for a random ring that will change their life, often surrounded by TV cameras ready to broadcast the moment to the world, they’re reduced to sitting ducks.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Maybe instead of rats the cartoon should show sitting ducks.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
-
The Republicans and their puppet master, Donald Trump, are ginning up the machine against immigration and making Mayorkas their whipping boy for chaos at the border.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
18 Apr. 2024
Noun
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The left wing is seen as a priority, with two targets in Luis Diaz and Rashford being shortlisted for possible transfers.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
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
Noun
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But the puck bounced off Hintz’s butt and right back to Duchene, and the veteran got the second try over and in.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Think of it like bending forward at your hips and pushing your butt back while keeping your back straight (which requires a fair amount of mobility and flexibility) and your core engaged.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
One familiar example is ash trees, which are prey to the emerald ash borer.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
-
This behavior is inherited from their ancestors, who evolved to hunt prey at dusk and dawn.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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