straw man meaning and definition

STRAW MAN noun

Definition of straw man (noun)

1. a person used as a cover for some questionable activity
   • synonyms: figurehead, front, front man, nominal head, strawman
2. a weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted
   • synonyms: strawman
3. an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds
   • synonyms: bird-scarer, scarecrow, scarer, strawman