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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.

The first records of the term straw man come from the 1580s. It was used literally to refer to a human figure made out of straw. The use of straw man to refer to a form of argument is newer, although the exact origin is unknown.

The term is used as a metaphor, alluding to the fact that a person made of straw is obviously not real and is therefore an easy opponent due to being incapable of fighting back.

The goal of a straw man is to weaken an opponent’s actual argument and make your own look better in comparison. Of course, this strategy can fail if the audience realizes that you are attacking a straw man because you aren’t confident in your own position and wouldn’t hold up against the opposing argument.

What are some other forms related to straw man?

• straw men (plural)
• strawman (alternate spelling)
• straw-man (alternate spelling)

What are some synonyms for straw man?

• man of straw

What are some words that share a root or word element with straw man?��

• straw
• man

What are some words that often get used in discussing straw man?

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• argument
• fallacy
• illogical
• nonsense
• bad faith
• disinformation
• misleading

The phrase straw man implies a criticism of such arguments. Straw man arguments are especially associated with political debates.

"This is going to ruin cinema!" yeah, every decade since the twenties wants their straw man argument back.

— Moltar, Moltar, and Moltar (@cooke9000)

It’s hard to have a debate with people on twitter because 98% of people on here use straw man arguments for every single rebuttal they have

— Kylan Morris (@KylanDMorris)

Is it me or does “Law & Order: SVU” have some of the biggest straw man characters ever?

— John Miles (@PrivatizeEdu)

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True or False?

A straw man is an accurate representation of an opposing argument that is logically disproved with researched facts and figures.