1
as in lure
something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap
cheese is the traditional bait for trapping mice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temptation
something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain
the promise of free vacation is surefire bait to get people to agree to be chaperones for school trips
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to taunt
to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults
I wished the candidates would stop baiting each other and instead address the real issues
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to lure
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
the investment scheme cunningly baits the greedy and the unscrupulous
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bait
ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Using three potential scenarios, the hour-long episode breaks down survival tactics that could mean the difference between life and death for an unlucky human shark bait.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2025
Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Given the city’s prominence as the hub of national media, the Tonys are not simply a local event but one of the means by which CBS appropriates entertainment awards shows (primarily music-industry ceremonies) as a way of baiting viewers and imposing left-liberal groupthink on the public.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
The Field School trips, by contrast, give an unbiased sampling of whatever goes for its bait.
—ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Using three potential scenarios, the hour-long episode breaks down survival tactics that could mean the difference between life and death for an unlucky human shark bait.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2025
Verb
Most runners knew better than to bait Parker, who gleefully accepted the challenge.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Given the city’s prominence as the hub of national media, the Tonys are not simply a local event but one of the means by which CBS appropriates entertainment awards shows (primarily music-industry ceremonies) as a way of baiting viewers and imposing left-liberal groupthink on the public.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
-
The lure of historic settings, whether specific buildings or entire urban districts, has never seemed more irresistible.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
But maybe the lure of some of the best courses in the world, along with a South African summer, could see a seasonal change in his mood toward the country later this year.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
13 July 2025
Noun
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At a time when public trust in higher education is evaporating, faculty are stretched thin, and institutional missions are fraying under financial strain, the temptation is to become further entrenched in the status quo or surrender to inevitable decline.—
Matthew Scogin,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
But if Bell continues to struggle to impress his SAC, there could be the temptation to at least consider alternative paths up the professional ladder.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Since stepping down as president in 2012 to allow Putin to return to the post, Medvedev has transformed himself from a relatively liberal technocrat into an uber-nationalist, taunting Russia’s adversaries with provocative social media posts.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
3 Aug. 2025
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This has not remained without challenges as the responsibility of the West to lead diplomatic resolutions with arms control agreements has been tested by Russia, refused by China, and taunted by Iran in developing destabilizing uranium-enrichment facilities.—
Brooke Taylor,
Boston Herald,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
If these savings alone weren't enough to tempt you, then the fact that these drones are now at their lowest-ever prices might.—
Alexander Cox,
Space.com,
28 July 2025
-
You might be tempted to jump on your soapbox and convince someone to agree with you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Undervaluing Yourself To Avoid Conflict Many professionals, especially those early in their careers, fall into the trap of lowballing their worth out of fear.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
That’s the trap with a character like this — writing to a joke versus writing to her worldview and her attitude.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
Verb
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First and foremost, after teasing it yesterday, Marvel just had Tom Holland walk out in his full Spidey costume (minus mask) to drive the internet wild.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The pop singer started teasing the names of the set’s individual songs on social media last week.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After the show's season 27 premiere included a scene in which Trump, who was depicted twice with small genitals, attempted to seduce Satan in his bedroom at the White House, members of the president's team released a statement to EW criticizing South Park.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 July 2025
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Following a near two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the premiere episode shows a naked Trump trying to seduce Satan, and came a day after the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had reached a $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
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But numbers mavens are off the hook, too, because clearly, no actual math was used in the making of this mess.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Aug. 2025
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That leaves him off the hook and puts the focus on the new bullpen out-getters, Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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