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.

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

As prime minister, Oli became a lightning rod for protester fury.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

McSweeney, the departed chief of staff, was often the lightning rod on some of those controversies.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

Not only is Shriver herself a lightning rod, but “A Better Life” is a novel about a torpedo of an issue: immigration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

Over time, Reggie would become both a lightning rod and a prism through which people in the community, prosecutors, legislators, and others around the country would view themselves and their own behavior.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel