lightning rod
noun
1
: a grounded metallic rod set up on a structure (such as a building) to protect it from lightning
2
: one that serves to divert attack from another
3
: one that is a frequent target of criticism or focus of controversy
she has become a convenient lightning rod for voters' discontent with law-and-order issues—
Aric Press et al.
Aric Press et al.Examples of lightning rod in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her progressive views have turned her into a lightning rod for the country music industry's conservative stalwarts.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024
But a supporting character seems destined to be an inadvertent lightning rod, and there are calls to boycott the film, sight unseen.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2024
Walters, a former history teacher who served in the Cabinet of Gov. Kevin Stitt before being elected state superintendent in 2022, has emerged as a lightning rod of conservative politics in Oklahoma and an unapologetic culture warrior in education.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 June 2024
The Film Is More Promising Than Good Shkreli became a critical lightning rod after drastically increasing the price of an antiparasitic drug by 4,000 percent in 2015.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod 
Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2024
But a supporting character seems destined to be an inadvertent lightning rod, and there are calls to boycott the film, sight unseen.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2024
Walters, a former history teacher who served in the Cabinet of Gov. Kevin Stitt before being elected state superintendent in 2022, has emerged as a lightning rod of conservative politics in Oklahoma and an unapologetic culture warrior in education.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 June 2024
The Film Is More Promising Than Good Shkreli became a critical lightning rod after drastically increasing the price of an antiparasitic drug by 4,000 percent in 2015.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lightning rod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lightning rod
Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightning%20rod. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share