strawman

Definitions of strawman

1. noun

   a weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted
   synonyms: straw man

   type of:

   specious argument

   an argument that appears good at first view but is really fallacious
2. noun

   a person used as a cover for some questionable activity
   synonyms: figurehead, front, front man, nominal head, straw man

   type of:

   beguiler, cheat, cheater, deceiver, slicker, trickster

   someone who leads you to believe something that is not true
3. noun

   an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds
   synonyms: bird-scarer, scarecrow, scarer, straw man

   type of:

   effigy, image, simulacrum

   a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture)