targeting

Definition of targetingnext
present participle of target

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 targeting Taylor, a fluid 6-foot-5, is already the Jets’ second-best receiver and plays with a quarterback, Justin Fields, who is prone to targeting tight ends — fifth-highest tight end target rate since 2021, and Cole Kmet had a career-high 719 yards with Fields as his quarterback in 2023. Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for targeting
Verb
  • The Seattle defense, which nicknamed itself the Dark Side, lived in quarterback Drake Maye’s face, sacking him six times and harassing him into three turnovers.
    Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The driver asked her harassing questions on the ride before stopping the car and raping her, Dean alleged in the lawsuit.
    Miguel Torres, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Defense attorney Kevin Rousseau suggested in witness questioning that Bell-Johnson, who is known as One Leg and uses a prosthetic limb, sought comfort in gang membership in part because of taunting connected to his disability.
    Emerson Clarridge Updated February 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Another child care center director recounted how vehicles full of taunting men have driven by more than once.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • While the dogs are now safe with foster families, Holmes faces multiple charges, including confining an animal without sufficient food or water, keeping animals in an enclosure without exercise or air, and tormenting or depriving an animal.
    Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The self-torturing helices of thought twisting inside the young minds on the courts are no less fraught than the recursive neuroses tormenting the addicts down the hill.
    Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Kevin Huerter drew an offensive foul when the Lakers tried to push their luck in transition by baiting James into pushing his arm into Huerter’s neck.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Ian Wright lost his temper with anyone and everyone and after the game ended up yelling out the windows of the dressing room in a slanging match with the fans below in Avenell Road who had been baiting the players.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The strengths that those same opponents will spend long hours trying to account for — Nix’s pestering speed, a relentless pass-rush that produced a franchise-record 68 sacks, including four of Lance — aren’t changing either.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
  • No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Then Julian dropped one of his wireless earbuds into Olympia’s purse, using it as a crude bugging device.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, Bournemouth were so sick of Sadiki’s hassling that substitute Lewis Cook jutted an elbow at him.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • OpenAI has been teasing the introduction of ads for weeks.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Dunkin' has been teasing the Big Game ad for some time.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Targeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/targeting. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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