Definitions

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

The historical record here may show that being a lame duck insulates a Fed chair from political pressures.

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

Suzuki agreed to a one-year contract, which puts him in the uncomfortable position of being a lame duck before he manages his first game.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025

From the beginning of the flight from Trepassey the NC-4, thought to be the "lame duck" of the squadron, ran away from the other two machines.

From Opportunities in Aviation by Sweetser, Arthur