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
David Brennan, ABC News, 14 May 2026
The economy is struggling, people are frustrated about internet disruptions and frequent Ukrainian attacks against targets deep inside the country are worrying some people.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
That scheme involved operatives impersonating recruiters and executive search consultants on LinkedIn and Telegram and then sending unwitting job-seeking targets standard technical coding tests laced with malware.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Technology challenges Both these systems are aimed at delivering strategic strike capability for neutralizing high-value, time-sensitive targets such as hardened command and control nodes, integrated air defense systems, and critical infrastructure facilities.
—Adityajadhav, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
There’s limited contact and the quarterbacks haven’t built chemistry with their targets.
—Mike Kaye
updated May 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Air defenses shot down or jammed 693 Russian targets overnight, including 41 missiles and 652 drones of various types nationwide, the air force said.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The company’s roadmap includes quarterly deployment targets, with multiple units expected to roll out over the coming years.
—Wyles Daniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
The move was like giving the Italian government—and the EU’s clean energy targets—the middle finger.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
Noun
Both sides accuse the other of intentionally attacking civilian targets.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 14 May 2026
The economy is struggling, people are frustrated about internet disruptions and frequent Ukrainian attacks against targets deep inside the country are worrying some people.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
That scheme involved operatives impersonating recruiters and executive search consultants on LinkedIn and Telegram and then sending unwitting job-seeking targets standard technical coding tests laced with malware.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Technology challenges Both these systems are aimed at delivering strategic strike capability for neutralizing high-value, time-sensitive targets such as hardened command and control nodes, integrated air defense systems, and critical infrastructure facilities.
—Adityajadhav, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
There’s limited contact and the quarterbacks haven’t built chemistry with their targets.
—Mike Kaye
updated May 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Air defenses shot down or jammed 693 Russian targets overnight, including 41 missiles and 652 drones of various types nationwide, the air force said.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The company’s roadmap includes quarterly deployment targets, with multiple units expected to roll out over the coming years.
—Wyles Daniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
The move was like giving the Italian government—and the EU’s clean energy targets—the middle finger.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for targets
Noun
-
Employing a cast of non-professional locals, the film playfully interrogates the brutal but bungled occupation while also allowing its actors — many of whom are descendants of the fascists’ victims — to reinterpret and reclaim a chapter in their city’s past.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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Kyiv officials announced a day of mourning on Friday to honor the victims, with national flags at half-mast across the city of three million people.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The jokes landed because the admiration underneath them was unmistakable.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Last week’s The Roast of Kevin Hart remains at #2 as clips of the jokes keep going viral on social media.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Savings goals – Emergency fund, retirement, or a cushion for repairs.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
Higher output at sea The findings arrive as governments worldwide intensify efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable energy generation in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.—
,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Owen is a serial killer who, much like Zodiac, taunts the police with phone calls threatening the murder of innocent citizens.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But for predatory species that need prey to eat, growing them in a lab is more challenging.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
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As prey moved deeper or disappeared in warming waters, marine mammals were forced to travel farther and work harder to find food, leaving more stranded or in distress along the coast.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
As Rose’s impoverished yet imperious mother Ruth, Parson’s dry deliveries offer great comic ballast to this ship of fools.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
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McGinn sets high standards in training and during games and does not suffer fools.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Iran, which says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, was said to have included some nuclear concessions in its latest proposal to end the war.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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For many people, getting life insurance or disability insurance would serve similar purposes while offering greater flexibility.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Officials will continue to investigate the area for further evidence of poison bait, and also stressed the importance of the community's cooperation to discourage and prevent the use of poison baits against wildlife.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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Whereas fast fashion baits consumers with poorly made clothing available for a limited time, Jendue takes a more elevated approach with high quality denim from Turkey.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Targets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/targets. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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