straw man Hear it!

straw man definition

straw man

  1. scarecrow
  2. a person of little importance; nonentity
  3. a weak argument or opposing view set up by a politician, debater, etc. so as to be able to attack it and gain an easy, showy victory
  4. a person used to disguise another's intentions, activities, etc.; blind

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.