prime target

noun

: someone who is more likely than most other people to be affected by something (such as a disease)
Men in this age group are prime targets for heart disease.

Examples of prime target in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With its dense transportation network and proximity to major ports, New York has become a prime target. Chris Spear, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026 That co-conspirator’s credibility — the prime target of the defense in its pursuit of a Franks hearing — may become a central theme of an eventual trial. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026 In November, the Mavericks fired beleaguered general manager Nico Harrison — the prime target of fans’ ire — amid the Mavericks’ sputtering start and Doncic’s scorching early-season play in Los Angeles. Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026 Its small population of 280,000, however, spares it from being a prime target for large-scale drug trafficking. CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prime target

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prime target.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prime%20target. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster