straw man

noun
UK: /ˌstrɔː ˈmæn/
US: /ˌstrɑː ˈmæn/

  1. A weak or imaginary argument or opponent that is set up and easily defeated to make your own argument seem stronger.

    1. He set up a straw man and then shot it down with his argument.
    2. The politician employed a straw man, misrepresenting his opponent's views to make them easier to attack.

  2. A false or weak representation of someone's argument, which is then easily refuted.

    1. That's a straw man, you're twisting my words.
    2. Creating a straw man is a common tactic in debates, but it avoids real engagement with the issue.

Synonyms

distortion red herring

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "straw man" in English means: A weak or imaginary argument or opponent that is set up and easily defeated to make your own argument seem stronger., A false or weak representation of someone's argument, which is then easily refuted..

The phonetic transcription of "straw man" is /ˌstrɔː ˈmæn/ in British English and /ˌstrɑː ˈmæn/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "straw man": distortion, red herring.

Example usage of "straw man": "He set up a straw man and then shot it down with his argument.". More examples on the page.