Synonyms

paper tiger

American

noun

a person, group, nation, or thing that has the appearance of strength or power but is actually weak or ineffectual.

paper tiger British

noun

a nation, institution, etc, that appears powerful but is in fact weak or insignificant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of paper tiger

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Driving him into exile is an opportunity for the president to paint the grouping a paper tiger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

“I think it’s a serious paper tiger we’re dealing with here. I don’t think for 60 days they can keep the train on the tracks.”

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2024

No one should think Iran is just a paper tiger.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 15, 2024

"Before, the virus was as fierce as a tiger, but now it is a paper tiger," the contributor wrote last week.

From Reuters • Dec. 2, 2022

"Truly, the all-powerful Yin would risk his flowery existence, laughing at this paper tiger, who is mad enough to demand an audience with the Son of Heaven," replied one of the mandarins.

From The War Tiger Or, Adventures and Wonderful Fortunes of the Young Sea Chief and His Lad Chow: A Tale of the Conquest of China by Dalton, William

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023