was targeted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was targeted with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone or something that has been the focus of an attack, criticism, or negative attention. Example: "The organization was targeted with numerous complaints regarding its policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is no doubt Phillip was targeted with this type of bowling.

The Guardian - Sport

He was targeted with jeers, too, another indicator of his celebrity.

The New York Times - Sports

She was targeted with relentless abuse and threats on Twitter in the days following her banknote victory.

Independent

Soca took down its website late on Monday after it was targeted with a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack by the notorious internet group.

The Guardian - Tech

The school gate vote was targeted with better maternity pay, stronger nurse-family partnerships, carers' commissions and an extension of Sure Start.

The Guardian

Villa's goalkeeper Brad Guzan was targeted with what he described as "a few lighters, some coins, and some beverages" thrown by home supporters but was not hit.

Independent

Earlier this summer, explosions went off outside three mosques in the West Midlands; the one in Tipton was targeted with a nail bomb.

The New York Times

In the days and weeks after the blacklisting, Spamhaus was targeted with an DDoS attack, which flooded the site with traffic until it fell offline.

The New York Times - Tech

Cash was targeted with medal potential in mind, and perks included home athletes at the Games being given priority access to practice facilities before the Games.

Independent

Following the blacklisting, Spamhaus was targeted with a massive DDoS attack which flooded the site with traffic until it came offline.

Independent

Garde was targeted with cries of "You don't know what you're doing" and his brief spell in English football has already taken on the form of a full-blown crisis.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was targeted with" to clearly indicate that a specific entity or individual was the focus of a deliberate action, whether positive or negative. Ensure the context clarifies the nature and intent of the targeting.

Common error

Avoid using "was targeted with" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The company was targeted with a lawsuit", consider "The authorities sued the company" if the actor is known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was targeted with" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received a specific action, often negative. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct. Examples show its use in describing attacks, criticism, or specific actions directed towards a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was targeted with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates someone or something received a specific action. Predominantly found in news and media and scientific contexts, it highlights that an entity was the focus of a deliberate act. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While effective, consider alternatives like "was subjected to" or "came under fire for" depending on the context. When using "was targeted with", ensure clarity about the targeting nature and intent, while avoiding its use when the active voice provides a more direct impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was attacked with

This alternative focuses specifically on aggressive actions or criticism directed at someone or something.

was subjected to

This alternative replaces "targeted" with "subjected", emphasizing the experience of undergoing something, often negative or forceful.

came under fire for

This alternative emphasizes criticism and scrutiny, often in a public or professional context.

was hit by

This alternative conveys the idea of receiving something impactful, like an attack or a piece of information.

was bombarded with

This alternative emphasizes a large quantity or intensity of what's being received, suitable for things like criticism or questions.

was assailed by

This alternative is a more formal and intense way of saying someone was attacked or criticized.

was faced with

This alternative shifts the focus to encountering or confronting something, suggesting a challenge or obstacle.

was met with

This alternative highlights the response or reaction one receives in return for an action or statement.

was on the receiving end of

This alternative is a more descriptive way of saying someone experienced something, usually negative.

was the object of

This alternative is a more formal way to say something or someone received a particular action or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "was targeted with" in a sentence?

Use "was targeted with" to indicate that someone or something was the recipient of a specific action, such as "The website "was targeted with" a DDoS attack" or "The politician "was targeted with" criticism".

What can I say instead of "was targeted with"?

You can use alternatives like "was subjected to", "was hit by", or "came under fire for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was targeted by" instead of "was targeted with"?

While "was targeted with" emphasizes the means or instrument used in the targeting, "was targeted by" emphasizes the agent or entity doing the targeting. Both can be correct depending on the intended meaning. For example: "The building "was targeted with" a missile" vs. "The building "was targeted by" enemy forces".

What's the difference between "was targeted with" and "was aimed at"?

"Was aimed at" suggests an intention or direction towards a target, while "was targeted with" implies that an action or object was actually used against the target. For example, "The criticism "was aimed at" the policy" suggests the criticism was intended for the policy, whereas "The politician "was targeted with" insults" suggests the insults were directed and used against the politician.