Synonyms of target

target 1 of 2

noun

ˈtär-gət 

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

• victim
• prey
• mark
• butt
• sitting duck
• goat
• mockery
• scapegoat
• laughingstock
• lightning rod
• pilgarlic
• fall guy
• whipping boy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gossip
• troublemaker
• tattletale
• tattler
• gossiper
• tormentor
• defamer
• talebearer
• tease
• teaser
• needler
• torturer
• traducer
• taunter
• libeler
• baiter
• heckler
• insulter
• mocker
• scorner
• ribber
• libelist
• scoffer
• satirist
• parodist
• caricaturist
• derider
• lampooner
• ridiculer

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

• joke
• victim
• fool
• mock
• butt
• mark
• derision
• mockery
• sport
• pigeon
• sucker
• laughingstock
• jest
• monkey
• dupe
• gull
• chump
• fall guy
• sap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• favorite
• pet
• darling

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

• goal
• aim
• purpose
• plan
• object
• intent
• objective
• intention
• idea
• thing
• ambition
• dream
• meaning
• ideal
• aspiration
• point
• design
• end
• mark
• project
• name of the game
• bourne
• hope
• destination
• scheme
• pretension
• desire
• mind
• wish
• plot
• holy grail
• grail
• terminus
• nirvana

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• method
• means
• way

target

2 of 2

verb

as in to taunt

Related Words

• taunt
• harass
• needle
• bait
• rag
• bug
• torment
• pester
• harry
• tease
• mimic
• heckle
• tweak
• rib
• rally
• parody
• kid
• caricature
• satirize
• imitate
• hassle
• ride
• lampoon
• take off (on)
• barrack
• pillory
• quiz
• parrot
• catcall
• ape
• twit
• jive
• disparage
• razz
• belittle
• chaff
• scorn
• scout
• ridicule
• burlesque
• decry
• laugh (at)
• josh
• scoff (at)
• sneer (at)
• travesty
• put down
• mock
• deride
• bad-mouth
• jeer
• shoot down
• gibe
• skewer
• pooh-pooh

Dissimilar Words

• approve
• endorse
• commend
• sanction
• applaud

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of target

Noun

With a surprisingly luxurious feel, the formula contains hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, retinol to smooth skin and target signs of aging, and vitamin C to brighten. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

In September, Manila unveiled a roadmap with ambitious targets to grow its annual chips and electronics exports to $110 billion by 2030, and move beyond manufacturing and assembly into higher-end operations. — Sam Beltran, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

The vaccine trains the immune system to recognize and target these neoantigens, similar to how a standard vaccine is trained to recognize and target a virus or bacteria. — David Cox, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Trump blindsided Zelenskyy last weekend by announcing that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other's energy facilities. — Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026