targeted
UK: ˈtɑːɡɪtɪd | US: ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪd
adj. deliberately chosen or aimed at a specific person, group, or thing
vt. (past tense of "target") singled out or directed toward a particular objective
The word "target" originates from Old French "targette" (small shield), derived from "targe" (shield), likely of Germanic origin. Over time, "target" evolved to mean an object or goal to aim at, both literally (e.g., archery) and figuratively. The suffix "-ed" here serves a dual role: marking the past tense of the verb ("they targeted") or forming an adjective ("a targeted campaign"). The morpheme "target" retains its core meaning of deliberate focus, while "-ed" adapts it to describe completed action or a state of specificity.
The advertisement was targeted at young professionals.
The charity launched a targeted fundraising campaign for disaster relief.
Hackers targeted the company’s database in a cyberattack.
The vaccine rollout prioritized targeted groups like healthcare workers.
Her criticism seemed unfairly targeted at one team member.