1
as in victim
a person or thing that is the object of abuse, criticism, or ridicule
the hapless vice president quickly became the favorite target of late-night comedians
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of
a badly made TV commercial that became the target of lots of jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
our target is to raise $100,000 for a new playground by August
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to taunt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of target
Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Seven European allies still fall short of even that target.
—arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025
Anyone who thinks they may have been targeted can check indicators of compromise at the end of the Microsoft post.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for target
Noun
McCann, for instance, recently engaged in a nasty spat with Severin Borenstein, a UC Berkeley energy economist and regular target of the solar industry’s fury.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Seven European allies still fall short of even that target.
—arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
Low-income communities are disproportionately targeted for hazardous-waste sites.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025
Anyone who thinks they may have been targeted can check indicators of compromise at the end of the Microsoft post.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for target
Recent Examples of Synonyms for target
Noun
-
Here’s one basic reality the recent laws don’t recognize: If density increases in burn footprints, the number of prospective victims in the inevitable future fires there will also increase.—
Thomas Elias,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The victim, identified as Jhoser Sanchez, later died in the hospital.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After a joke about Adam Sandler’s fashion sense, O’Brien suddenly changed tone to address the devastation of the wildfires in Los Angeles, and how an awards show can seem self-indulgent if that context was not addressed.—
Annie Aguiar,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2025
-
For the monologue, Gillis pushed his luck early, starting with some jokes about how hilarious Trump has been in office, and how former President Biden was also funny.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
These three countries host large deposits of several minerals critical to the U.S., for America's economic and geopolitical goals.—
John Feng,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The 30-year-old defenseman, selected fourth overall in the 2013 NHL draft (two picks after the Panthers selected Aleksander Barkov) has 97 goals and 432 points over his 12-year NHL career.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Goliath was a character who taunted and terrified the entire army of Israel for 40 days.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
-
According to Carranza, another student was taunting her daughter, saying that her family would be deported, and Jocelynn would be left alone.—
Ed Lavandera,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
For animals like dogs, cats, and monkeys, ear movement helps track sounds, which is crucial for detecting predators or prey.—
Clarissa Brincat,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Both types of bass are highly efficient apex predators that hunt down baitfish and other prey.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Patriots nab him at No. 4 in Dane’s most recent mock.—
Jacob Robinson,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
-
That’s why this mock is more about highlighting Washington’s needs.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Common Sense Media was founded in 2003 as a nonprofit with an aim of reviewing and rating media and technology on its suitability for children.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
But Thal’s recording was the first to be created in a professional capacity, with the aim of obtaining work for Dylan, said Bobby Livingston, an executive vice president at RR Auction.—
Colin Moynihan,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Thus, lawsuits that are designed to harass folks into shutting up about something, or to retaliate against them for exercising their free speech rights, are thrown out of court very quickly.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Yet time and time again, those under orders keep their guns, give them to a friend or family member or find other ways to obtain one — then use them to harass, shoot or kill those who sought protection or others.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Target.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/target. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share