lightning rod
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A two-term congressman whose father served for 10 years on Capitol Hill, Collins has been a lightning rod for controversy since arriving in Washington.
From Slate • May 28, 2026
Before his resignation, McSweeney became a lightning rod for discontent with Downing Street.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
Still, UMA has been a lightning rod for controversy in previous resolution disputes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
The ending, which I won’t spoil here, has become a lightning rod of controversy that cannot be destroyed, no matter how much acrimonious electricity it attracts.
From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026
Chase began to get a strange feeling about Emily and wondered if this was what his dad experienced when he made his predictions, or what a lightning rod felt just before a strike.
From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith
