lame duck

[leym duhk] / ˈleɪm ˈdʌk /

NOUN

elected official waiting to leave office

Synonyms

WEAK

crumbling power holdover incumbent loser weak administration weakling

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.

He’s also a lame duck and getting lamer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Powell became a lame duck almost immediately after President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2025.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

"I'm not sure he's a lame duck yet," Garret Martin, professor of international relations at American University, told AFP.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

Congressional leaders from both parties agree on the need to pass PBM reform, and the current "lame duck" legislative session is an ideal opportunity to do so.

From Salon • Nov. 22, 2024

One of the frequent difficulties in beginning a letter is that your answer is so long delayed that you begin with an apology, which is always a lame duck.

From Etiquette by Post, Emily