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
That, combined with a struggling economy, has turned Syrians into a political lightning rod in Turkey.
—Scott McLean, CNN, 1 July 2024
Within months, Gus Cordova had become a lightning rod, nationally and locally, center to a furious debate over the power of football in Texas and community members who felt the district was shielding the program.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 14 June 2024
Hochul has pursued a cautious agenda in this year’s budget talks, steering clear of lightning rod policies in an attempt to dodge Democratic Party infighting in an election year.
—Tim Balk, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2024
But Govan’s new museum building has also been a lightning rod for controversy.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod 
Scott McLean, CNN, 1 July 2024
Within months, Gus Cordova had become a lightning rod, nationally and locally, center to a furious debate over the power of football in Texas and community members who felt the district was shielding the program.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 14 June 2024
Hochul has pursued a cautious agenda in this year’s budget talks, steering clear of lightning rod policies in an attempt to dodge Democratic Party infighting in an election year.
—Tim Balk, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2024
But Govan’s new museum building has also been a lightning rod for controversy.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 23 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.
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Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightning%20rod. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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