straw man

American  

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.

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straw man British  

noun

1. a figure of a man made from straw

2. another term for man of straw

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straw man Cultural  

1. 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.”

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Usage

What does straw man mean? A straw man is a fictional, exaggerated version of an opposing viewpoint, especially one that’s intentionally created to be easy to dismiss or argue against and to make one’s own argument seem stronger.It’s commonly used in the phrase straw man argument, referring to an argument that uses a straw man. Straw man is sometimes spelled strawman.A straw man argument is a kind of logical fallacy, which is an illogical or misleading argument. Straw man arguments can be made unintentionally, but most are made on purpose to make the other side seem evil, incompetent, or extremist.Because straw men are not based on reality, they are often considered deceitful or nonsensical, and the term implies a criticism of such methods. They are often associated with their use in political arguments or debates. For example, during a campaign, a politician may call for greater government protection for endangered wolves. If that politician’s opponent then accuses them of wanting to release wolves into elementary schools, that’s a straw man argument.The literal meaning of straw man refers to the likeness of a person made out of straw (like a scarecrow).Straw man can also be used to refer to a person who’s used to cover someone’s else’s activities when they may be illegal or unethical. For example, this sense of straw man can refer to someone who makes a straw purchase—a purchase of something, such as a gun, for a person who is restricted from buying it.Example: The senator was criticized for using a straw man argument during the debate instead of addressing his opponent’s real position.

Etymology

Origin of straw man

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

“There’s the straw man of, ‘Well, it failed at this one thing, therefore it’s all stupid.’”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

It’s just a straw man that Oldham dreamed up to defend ghost gun buyers—whom he depicted, with a straight face, as noble, “law-abiding” gunsmiths partaking in a grand American “tradition of self-made arms.”

From Slate • Oct. 8, 2024

The commissioner’s office sees the players’ complaint as a straw man.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024

"It's a straw man, it's a boogie monster, it's not really a real thing, so they make up stories," she said.

From Reuters • Feb. 23, 2023

"I'm supposed to ride against the straw man."

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin