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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bait
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Which bait works best depends on the wasp species in your yard.
—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
28 June 2026
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Police conducted a controversial sting operation involving an undercover policewoman, who contacted Stagg through a personals ad and tried to bait him into confessing to Nickell’s murder by posing as a romantic interest.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
Former Mayor Sue Lynch had hopes of turning the former school into a community center, but no private partners took the bait after a study for the project was dangled before potential stakeholders.
—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Which bait works best depends on the wasp species in your yard.
—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
28 June 2026
Verb
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama baited Towns and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson into fouls.
—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Police conducted a controversial sting operation involving an undercover policewoman, who contacted Stagg through a personals ad and tried to bait him into confessing to Nickell’s murder by posing as a romantic interest.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
-
Though the story itself is comically predictable, Chloe Bailey’s earnest portrayal and the lure of the iconic Lynn Whitfield make the movie fun to watch even as the narrative completely unravels at the seams.
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Early also has a larger target in view, the fickleness of internet celebrity, a lure that often comes with self-harm.
Noun
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The temptation is to read those two companies as competing bets on the same market.
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There is a temptation to read the Congo and the United States as separate stories, one about a fragile state far away and one about our own polarized politics.
Verb
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Steak 'n Shake announced its month-long Liberty Meal deal to celebrate America's 250th birthday — and used the occasion to taunt a competitor.
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In the Chicago area, officials said three men captured a victim and shot him multiple times in the head and allegedly taunted his mother.
Verb
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Now the game’s future is looking decidedly brighter and many more players of the original may be tempted to give the sequel a second chance.
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If the thermostat is working properly but the air conditioner is struggling, don't be tempted to turn down the temperature even more.
Noun
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This is because the infrastructure of the city traps in all of the heat that built up during the day, thus preventing a normal nocturnal cooldown seen in non-urban settings.
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One of the biggest traps organizations fall into is assuming employees already know what behaviors are valued.
Verb
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While the flagship movie franchise is coming to an end, Diesel previously teased that NBCUniversal has four TV shows in development from the Fast & Furious world.
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The featurette teases Zada as Haymitch, with scenes ranging from the literal sunrise on his Reaping Day to Capitol interviews to the Games itself.
Verb
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That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.
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The writer thinks that the person seducing the main character is just some flotsam, hardly worth a second look.
Noun
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My career actually focuses on bonding and preventing taxpayers from being on the hook for the failures of bankrupt and corrupt companies.
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If organizers experience significant losses, the city would be on the hook for the first $270 million and possibly more after that.
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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