as in switcheroo
US
a selling method in which a customer is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced product but then is encouraged to buy a more expensive one
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Recent Examples of bait and switch
Medicare Advantage is a bait and switch scam & betrayal.
—
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
The first movie offered a bit of a bait and switch with a plot about a group of unlikely allies trying to survive a zombie outbreak evolving into something else entirely.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Gloria’s key allies in this bait and switch were Councilmembers Joe LaCava and Sean Elo-Rivera.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
The lunar elixir, from the Ugly Delicious section of Fura’s Journal of Future Foods menu highlighting retail-imperfect ingredients, was a sensory bait and switch.
—Adam Erace, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait and switch
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
The first movie offered a bit of a bait and switch with a plot about a group of unlikely allies trying to survive a zombie outbreak evolving into something else entirely.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Gloria’s key allies in this bait and switch were Councilmembers Joe LaCava and Sean Elo-Rivera.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
The lunar elixir, from the Ugly Delicious section of Fura’s Journal of Future Foods menu highlighting retail-imperfect ingredients, was a sensory bait and switch.
—Adam Erace, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait and switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait and switch
Noun
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This switcheroo has puzzled many scientists.—
Deborah Fuller,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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This switcheroo has puzzled many scientists.—
Deborah Fuller,
The Conversation,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The case against Cracker Barrel Biglari’s attack on Cracker Barrel began in the early 2010s when his reputation was bolstered by Steak ‘n Shake’s turnaround.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
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Deputy chief executive officer Marco Pozzo — who joined Wolford in July, when the company also completed a capital increase of 25 million euros — shared the strategy behind his mandate, aimed at the business’ turnaround.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Adding flip-flops kept it less serious.—
Libby Page,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Sandals or flip-flops are recommended attire.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The plunge – just the latest in a string of sales drops for Musk’s once-hot EV maker – underscores the turnabout in Tesla’s fortunes.—
Ryan Hogg,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
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His turnabout occurred as DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet were gathering in Orlando at the Florida Highway Patrol Troop D Headquarters for a press conference at which the governor announced the creation of a new immigration enforcement unit within the patrol.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Sweet Dove Died is considered Pym’s most Jamesian work and there are inflections of the Master in the themes of falling out of love, renunciation, and collecting—the pursuit of beauty falling short.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
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Oddly, the move comes not as a renunciation but as a new adventure.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.—
London Business School,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The realities of Putin’s momentum, coupled with Washington’s volte-face, have led to a clear mood shift in Kyiv.—
Daryna Mayer,
NBC News,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Subscriptions like Billie cover this for you without a second thought.—
Sabina Wizemann,
Good Housekeeping,
30 Nov. 2022
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In America, the allure of material comfort is accepted without a second thought.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
20 Nov. 2022
Noun
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Nevertheless, the article made many people upset, leading to thousands of negative comments, many rave-side debates, and a coordinated letter to the editor requesting a retraction.—
Andrew Pasquier,
Them.,
18 Sep. 2025
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The president’s attorney had demanded the Times issue a retraction and apology, the paper said.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait and switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait%20and%20switch. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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