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
Josef Adalian, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Officials said that, due to the bait dogs’ more generally passive nature, they are used to provoke aggressive dogs to attack them in the lead up to the violent animal entering a fight, which people then bet on.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
They're known as problem crocodiles, though catching them is fairly easy, in cages baited with wild boar meat.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
Sarandos was wise to avoid taking the bait.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Officials said that, due to the bait dogs’ more generally passive nature, they are used to provoke aggressive dogs to attack them in the lead up to the violent animal entering a fight, which people then bet on.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Trump absolutely loathes Crockett, who might bait the President to intervene in the GOP primary.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
They're known as problem crocodiles, though catching them is fairly easy, in cages baited with wild boar meat.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
-
The fragrant flowers in spring and summer lure pollinators like bees and butterflies.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
-
This past year also was elevated by the success that the league’s TV partners had in harnessing the lure of live game coverage to drive larger corporate imperatives — namely, building up the streaming platforms that represent the future for the parent companies of NBC, CBS, ESPN/ABC and Fox.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Royal blue, oxblood, and gold paint illuminated the creation of Adam and the temptation of Eve—the couple who give the place its name, the Crypt of the Original Sin—along with various apostles and archangels.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In environments where young people have few chances to recover from mistakes, those mistakes can be much more damaging, and the temptations can feel more overwhelming.—
Mark Mitchell,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But really this is just a game, a chance to taunt an opponent before his real plan kicks into gear.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Tensions between Black and White high school students escalate after nooses were hung from a tree to taunt Black students.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Leave room in your suitcase or car trunk, you'll be tempted to load up on bulk spices, global snacks, and sweets from the bakery after visiting.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
-
With Venus reaching from your resourceful 2nd house to square Uranus in your playful 5th house, you may be tempted to challenge your budget.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But talking about identity has ever-shifting rules and hierarchies that amount to bear-traps that can spring at any time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In the bottom of your dishwasher, there’s a small trap that’s meant to catch food particles and debris that’s rinsed off your plates during the wash cycle.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The reggaeton icon briefly teased his performance in a trailer released by Apple Music in January 2026.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Trump teased his non-prediction in a post on TikTok last week.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This is so outrageous that even Creepy Professor Oliver McCreepenstein, a middle-aged married man currently seducing his 17-year-old student, is aghast.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Ahead, find 15 red velvet nail ideas that are made to seduce.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sommerville made a hook shot, and Yates scooped a layup, cutting the margin to two.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow deep into the flesh with hook-like mouths, lending the pest its name.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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