Straw-man


noun
1.
a mass of straw formed to resemble a man, as for a doll or scarecrow.
2.
a person whose importance or function is only nominal, as to cover another’s activities; front.
3.
a fabricated or conveniently weak or innocuous person, object, matter, etc., used as a seeming adversary or argument:
The issue she railed about was no more than a straw man.
noun (mainly US)
1.
a figure of a man made from straw
2.
another term for man of straw

straw man definition

A made-up version of an opponent’s argument that can easily be defeated. To accuse people of attacking a straw man is to suggest that they are avoiding worthier opponents and more valid criticisms of their own position: “His speech had emotional appeal, but it wasn’t really convincing because he attacked a straw man rather than addressing the real issues.”

Read Also:

  • Straw-mite

    noun 1. a mite, Pyemotes ventricosus, that often occurs in straw and normally feeds on the larvae of insects but opportunistically bites humans, causing an itching dermatitis.

  • Straw-mushroom

    noun 1. a small brown mushroom, Volvariella volvacea, used in Asian cookery.

  • Strawson

    noun 1. Sir Peter (Frederick). 1919–2006, British philosopher. His early work deals with the relationship between language and logic, his later work with metaphysics. His books include The Bounds of Sense (1966) and Freedom and Resentment (1974)

  • Straw-vote

    noun 1. an unofficial vote taken to obtain an indication of the general trend of opinion on a particular issue. noun See straw poll Also, straw poll. An unofficial vote or poll indicating how people feel about a candidate or issue. For example, Let’s take a straw poll on the bill and see how it […]

  • Strawweight

    [min-uh-muh m-weyt] /ˈmɪn ə məmˌweɪt/ noun 1. a boxer of the lightest competitive class, especially a boxer weighing up to 104 pounds (47.2 kg). noun 1. a professional boxer weighing not more than 47.6 kg (105 pounds) (as modifier): the strawweight title Also called mini-flyweight


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