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

That puts the target on AI stocks, which soared for years in the frenzy around the technology. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

With the right rifle, a 25 Creedmoor shooter has the ultimate combo rig for deer, varmints, and long-range target shooting. — John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

The fight this time centered on the Houthis beginning to target Saudi oil tankers exiting the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in solidarity with Iran's blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. — September 18, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Keep your north- and east-facing windows open for natural light and target the hot side of your unit with film or curtains. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026