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
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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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Presidents, however, have wide leeway in setting refugee resettlement targets.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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The Dutchman insisted there would be no problem convincing a target to join Liverpool, but that the fee involved could still be a stumbling block.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Here's what to know about Rogers' execution, including who his victims were.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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The boy’s grandmother also found a handwritten note with what appeared to be the names of mass shooters and the number of victims from each shooting, the affidavit said.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Joy Behar absolutely will not ever make a gluten-free lasagna for her own best friend, but has graciously offered a generous donation of several cc's of butt fat to inject into her The View cohosts' faces.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
9 May 2025
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An Orlando doctor pleaded guilty to violating the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for offering silicone oil for gluteal and butt injections, according to a Thursday press release from the Department of Justice.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Often, people who fall prey to scams don’t want to admit they could have been fooled — but that shame can in turn keep others in the dark.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
11 May 2025
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Some quarterbacks have stronger arms, some have quicker releases, some can run, and some can improvise amidst the dangers of a defense that sees the quarterback as its prey.—
Cary Goodman,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning%20rod. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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