paper tiger

noun

: one that is outwardly powerful or dangerous but inwardly weak or ineffectual

Examples of paper tiger in a Sentence

The new laws are just paper tigers without any method of enforcement.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
As Israel continues to pound leadership bunkers and weapons caches at will from uncontested airspace — at the cost of hundreds of civilian lives in Lebanon — the Lebanese Shiite militia has been revealed as a paper tiger. Robert Grenier, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 Washington would be unwise to test the theory that China is a paper tiger that would back down in the face of concerted American action. Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 9 July 2024 The problems are far beyond the Center being a paper tiger or a rudderless ship. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 7 July 2024 The failure to hit a single target might persuade Tehran’s adversaries that the regime is a paper tiger. Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paper tiger 

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paper tiger was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near paper tiger

Cite this Entry

“Paper tiger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paper%20tiger. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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