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

Since the startup Anthropic launched Claude for Financial Services last summer, “LSEG shares have been a lightning rod for market fears about AI disruption risk,” Jefferies analyst Tom Mills wrote in a note last week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

No matter what you think of Pratt, an unapologetic lightning rod who stubbornly defies categorization, you can’t argue his entertainment value.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

His shovel smoked as he raised it above his head like a lightning rod and used it to direct the bolts.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda