Your point may be a little off target, but it certainly is close.
Source: tatoeba (17115)
Target
/ˈtɑː.ɡɪt/
Synonyms for "target" (235 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (47)
Noun(22 words)
aimmarkobjectiveachievement standardaimed ataimed changeaimed foraimingaimsambitionattackaudiencebiodiversity goalbullseyebuttclearly defined purposecommunity goalsconsumerscurriculum aimdartboard
Show 2 more words
design aestheticdesigned for
aimalpha decayambitionatom smashingatom-chippingatom-smashingatomic disintegrationatomic reactionatomizationbeta decaybombardmentbreedingbulletbuttby-endby-purposebywordbyword of reproachchain reactioncleavage
Adjective(1 words)
Strong matches (71)
Noun(32 words)
destinationdisintegration seriesdissociationdupedutyendend in viewexchange reactionfair gamefall guyfigure of funfinal causefissionfission reactionfoolfunctiongamegamma decaygazingstockgoal
Show 5 more words
Verb(9 words)
Adjective(5 words)
direct meaningeducational concepteducational goalseducator focusedinstructional targets
Related words (117)
jestingstockjokelaughingstockmarkmockerymonkeymugneutron reactionnonreversible reactionnuclear fissionnucleizationobjectobject in mindobjectivephotodisintegrationpreyproton gunproton reactionpurposepursuit
Noun(63 words)
key-point takeawaylearning pointlesson framinglesson objectivelesson propositummanagement goalmarketingmarketing termmarketsmuggeenichesobjectobject during discussionobject to hypothesisobject under studyobjective drivenobjectivesorganizational aimpattern orientedpeer collaboration targets
Show 43 more words
performance targetpersecutedplanning focused contentpolicy objectivepolicy on academic disorganizationpositioningpreyprogram goalproject objectiveprospectpurposefulpursuequarriesquarryquotasreadersreal world focusrecipientsrestoration targetresults orientedseekshootshoot forshort term goalsingle outsingle outcomespecialized forstrategic objectivestrivesustainability criteriatarget areatargeted sharingteam objectivethroughput targetusage orientsverb of intentionvictimsweight objectivewicketwicketswriting objectivezeroeszoning related
Adjective(10 words)
life science orientednarrow aimoperational targetpersonal milestonesplanned performanceselfish aimsshort term aimstrategic goalsstrong intenttargeted segment
Adverb(1 words)
more native-like features
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: aim, mark, objective, achievement standard, aim.
- Sentence evidence is available for target, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "target".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "target"
Keep "target" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "target" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "target", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "target" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
27 entriesShowing 16 of 27 words.
More specific
24 entriesShowing 16 of 24 words.
Collocations
12 entrieshit the targetlearning targetset as targettarget areatarget audiencetarget datetarget goaltarget gradetarget grouptarget markettarget practicetargeted instruction
Inflections
5 entriesDerivations
6 entriesSample sentences
22 total sentences available.
A man of weak will is the target of criticism; even his friends would badger him into correcting his defects.
Source: tatoeba (28210)
This seminar will target senior marketing leaders from Japanese firms.
Source: tatoeba (60934)
The first attack missed the target.
Source: tatoeba (244025)
Showing 4 of 22 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "target"?
Closest matches include aim, mark, objective, achievement standard, aim.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "target"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.