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
  • The Houthis declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia last month and have been routinely harassing shipping since.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The gang may also use threatening messages or harassing phone calls.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of harassing
Verb
  • His gruff mechanic Cooter Davenport is introduced as a hell-raising, uncouth wild man, constantly taunting the authorities and flouting convention.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Gunther once again took his attention away from Aldis by taunting Aldis’ wife—WWE Hall of Famer Mickie James—and his son Donovan.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of taunting
Verb
  • Aside from tormenting the sole out transgender member of Congress by waging a campaign to bar her from using the women’s bathroom in the Capitol, Mace had been a side player that year.
    — Annie Karni, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The final scene shows the Bowden family grilling in that same backyard on a sunny day, seemingly happy with Max no longer tormenting them.
    — Benjamin VanHoose, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Definition of tormenting
Verb
  • Warriors fans might just have to stomach a few shameless foul-baiting antics in a late back-to-back in Oklahoma City.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The genre, with its sanitized storylines and Oscar-baiting pretensions, seems fundamentally at odds with the iconoclastic chef and television personality.
    — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of baiting
Verb
  • In the clip shared on social media, the bird appears poised to go after a second player before veering off at the last moment, then continues pestering several others on the field until the referee is forced to pause the game.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Bonner brought the bull market with him to CSUF, bringing his pressing, pestering and passionate style of play to a fanbase starved for success.
    — Brian Robin, Oc Register, 8 June 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
  • The film also shows Reagan confidently teasing his negotiating team about being Democrats, which was probably done so that the movie could make the summit seem like a bipartisan effort.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Pasquarosa began teasing her relationship with Fiore in late February by posting photos and videos with him on social media.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of teasing

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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 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on targeting

Nglish: Translation of targeting for Spanish Speakers

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