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

Even the U.S. delegation has become a particular lightning rod this round.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Her name was Concha and she was kind of this lightning rod.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 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

I raised Riptide, but before I could even defend myself, Thalia yelled, and a blast of lightning came down from the sky, hit her spear like a lightning rod, and slammed into my chest.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan