targeting

verb

present participle of target
as in harassing

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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
  1. harassing
  2. taunting
  3. tormenting
  4. baiting
  5. pestering
  6. bugging
  7. hassling
  8. teasing
Verb
  • Kirschner said that his staff has been overwhelmed with homeless individuals causing property damage and harassing customers.
    — Melody Xu, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The host played an alcoholic cop hosting a talk show, harassing his guests and violating their civil liberties along with his partner, Mikey Day.
    — Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of harassing
Verb
  • Last week, Greenlaw was fined $11,941 for unsportsmanlike conduct after taunting the Broncos' sideline and head coach Sean Payton.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Greenlaw was fined $11,941 for taunting the Broncos’ sideline in a win last week.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of taunting
Verb
  • This shift from just hating and tormenting Mozart, and expanding that rage against God and his own mediocrity is what makes this play so profound and distinctive.
    — Doni Wilson, Houston Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The migraine tormenting the 32-year-old in April was even worse than usual.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of tormenting
Verb
  • But someone needs to jar Bell's memory and adjust his grasp of facts to get him off this race-baiting narrative.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Our top picks include the second season of a stylish video game spin-off anime and an Emmy-baiting prestige drama.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of baiting
Verb
  • Andrew Dismukes as Sam-I-Am is pestering the unnamed breakfast hater (Mikey Day).
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Children became the sales force, pestering their parents for the latest product.
    — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pestering
Verb
  • However, in-flight cabin etiquette is only one part of what’s bugging travelers this summer.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
Definition of bugging
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
Definition of hassling
Verb
  • Mahomes began teasing the collection last week with several posts on her Instagram.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
  • As part of the panel, co-showrunners and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau introduced a new clip teasing the second season, alongside series cast members Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Bella Shepard, Karim Diané and Robert Picardo.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of teasing

Browse Nearby Words

targeted
targeting
targets
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Cite this Entry

“Targeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/targeting. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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