target
noun
an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.
had been targeting
-
past perfect progressiveof target.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Musk had made several ambitious promises for where Tesla’s robotaxi network would be by the end of 2025, which is when he had been targeting the removal of safety monitors in Austin.
From MarketWatch β Jan. 22, 2026
Analysts polled by FactSet had been targeting $32.25 billion.
From The Wall Street Journal β Nov. 4, 2025
It had been targeting 2027 for getting down to $15 billion of net debt prior to the asset sale.
From Barron's β Oct. 7, 2025
Kenji Kanasugi, Japan's ambassador to China said Zhong had requested to speak to the victim's family, but did not say if he had been targeting Japanese nationals.
From BBC β Apr. 22, 2025
The guards had been targeting Zoe, and before they could figure out that the kid with the pipes was the bigger problem, the wooden planks at their feet sprouted new branches and tangled their legs.
From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan
