1
as in victims
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jokes
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 goals
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of targets
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The cargo variant targets heavier logistics.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Ukrainian officials have also accused Russia of using Starlink's network to guide attack drones in strikes deep inside Ukraine, including on civilian targets.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
It’s also widened to include the industry’s Wall Street backers, from lenders to private equity owners for whom software firms have been popular targets.
—Brody Ford, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs each have infield surpluses, making players like Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw logical targets.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
On Friday morning local time, Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia had fired missiles and dozens of drones at targets across the country overnight.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Bottom line, analysts maintained their long-term bullish stance on Meta, with most raising their price targets.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
McMillan, taken eighth overall by the Panthers in last year’s NFL Draft, put together a rookie campaign with 70 receptions (122 targets) for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The cargo variant targets heavier logistics.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Ukrainian officials have also accused Russia of using Starlink's network to guide attack drones in strikes deep inside Ukraine, including on civilian targets.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
It’s also widened to include the industry’s Wall Street backers, from lenders to private equity owners for whom software firms have been popular targets.
—Brody Ford, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs each have infield surpluses, making players like Isaac Paredes, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw logical targets.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
On Friday morning local time, Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia had fired missiles and dozens of drones at targets across the country overnight.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Bottom line, analysts maintained their long-term bullish stance on Meta, with most raising their price targets.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for targets
Noun
-
Family members of the shooting victims cried as the sentence was handed down.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Nelson, one of the shooting victims, who was in the passenger seat of the van, fired twice in self-defense before the truck drove away, according to the lawsuit filed by the family against the Police Department.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Gross-out jokes don’t always play well for a broad crowd that often includes families and kids.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
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Melania also recently made headlines in a new way when distributor Amazon MGM asked a theater in Oregon to stop screening the film due to some viral jokes on its marquee.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Paired with stronger workforce-training and credential programs, such a system could help steer students into the pathways best suited to their abilities and goals.—
Neetu Arnold,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The Canadians scored twice in a minute soon after, with goals by Laura Stacey and Sarah Fillier prompting the Czechs to pull starting goalie Julie Pejsova for Michaela Hesova.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a 30-second clip, Adams is seen leaving a jet bridge while a woman who is walking ahead of him seemingly taunts Adams.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
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The two come face-to-face at the end of the episode, during which Callahan taunts Kyle over his wife's murder.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In the past, archaeologists had assumed humans made their way to the Arctic by following musk oxen and other onshore prey.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
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For example, if subjected to high humidity, potato plants may fall prey to fungal diseases that will weaken them and slow growth.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sadly, OpenAI plays us for fools.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Both James Cameron and Apple Studios have made fools of those who have discounted them, but the blockbuster director has just done so more often.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Neiry says the birds are intended for peaceful purposes, to help with search and rescue operations and to monitor infrastructure.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
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This Christmas, Nelson’s surprising and fresh remake baits controversy in a couple new ways.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Targets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/targets. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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