strawman Definition
- 1an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument
- 2a person used as a cover for some dubious plan
Using strawman: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "strawman" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The politician's argument was based on a strawman, misrepresenting his opponent's position.
Example
The company used a strawman to hide their true intentions.
Example
The lawyer presented a strawman to distract the jury from the real evidence.
strawman Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for strawman
Phrases with strawman
a proposal made with the intention of being rejected, in order to make a more acceptable proposal seem better by comparison
Example
The union presented a strawman proposal to management, knowing it would be rejected, so they could later present a more reasonable proposal.
an argument that misrepresents an opponent's position in order to make it easier to attack
Example
The debater used a strawman argument to make her opponent's position seem ridiculous.
a purchase made by one person on behalf of another, in order to conceal the true buyer's identity
Example
The strawman purchase was used to hide the fact that the CEO was buying the company's stock.
Origins of strawman
from the use of straw men in combat training, where they were used as targets for practice
Summary: strawman in Brief
A 'strawman' [ˈstrɔːmæn] is a misrepresented proposition or argument that is easier to defeat than the opponent's real argument. It can also refer to a person used as a cover for a dubious plan. Examples include a 'strawman proposal,' which is intended to be rejected to make a more acceptable proposal seem better, and a 'strawman purchase,' which conceals the true buyer's identity.
