Everyday · Arguing & persuading
Straw man: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Straw man phrase. A weak or distorted version of someone's argument, set up because it is easy to knock down.
How to say it
straw MAN/ˌstrɔː ˈman/
2 syllables, stressed on the second (MAN).
Straw man in a sentence
Nobody said we should ban cars; that's a straw man and you know it.
His essay attacks a straw man of the opposing view instead of what its supporters believe.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- misrepresentation
- caricature
- distortion
Where straw man comes from
From a figure stuffed with straw, easy to set up and easy to knock over.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
His essay attacks a _____ of the opposing view instead of what its supporters believe.
- ipse dixit
- straw man
- tu quoque
Show the answer
straw man: His essay attacks a straw man of the opposing view instead of what its supporters believe.