1
as in lures
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 temptations
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 taunts
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 tempts
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 baits
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
Experts recommend using ant baits to kill the entire colony or calling a pest control professional for large infestations.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Keep baits out of reach of kids and pets.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
For covering more water across expansive areas, a small paddletail swimbait like Z-Man’s Shad FryZ or a micro jerkbait such as a Rapala X-Rap XR04 are great (and often overlooked) search baits, spring through fall.
—Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
Another such method is setting out toxic baits—strychnine is commonly used for this purpose.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
The small hooks allow the baits to swim naturally when cast and free-lined back toward the action.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Whereas fast fashion baits consumers with poorly made clothing available for a limited time, Jendue takes a more elevated approach with high quality denim from Turkey.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Mar. 2026
Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
This Christmas, Nelson’s surprising and fresh remake baits controversy in a couple new ways.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025
Steve, Robin, Nancy, Eddie and Dustin head to the Upside Down, while Max, in the real world, baits Vecna by going to the Creel house with Lucas.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
Trolling crank baits along points and flats 15 feet deep over deeper water should still work.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Whether alone or in combination, baits placed on the path between your home and the parent colony can stop carpenter ants in their tracks.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
Experts recommend using ant baits to kill the entire colony or calling a pest control professional for large infestations.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Keep baits out of reach of kids and pets.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
For covering more water across expansive areas, a small paddletail swimbait like Z-Man’s Shad FryZ or a micro jerkbait such as a Rapala X-Rap XR04 are great (and often overlooked) search baits, spring through fall.
—Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
Another such method is setting out toxic baits—strychnine is commonly used for this purpose.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
The small hooks allow the baits to swim naturally when cast and free-lined back toward the action.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Officials will continue to investigate the area for further evidence of poison bait, and also stressed the importance of the community's cooperation to discourage and prevent the use of poison baits against wildlife.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Whereas fast fashion baits consumers with poorly made clothing available for a limited time, Jendue takes a more elevated approach with high quality denim from Turkey.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Mar. 2026
Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
This Christmas, Nelson’s surprising and fresh remake baits controversy in a couple new ways.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025
Steve, Robin, Nancy, Eddie and Dustin head to the Upside Down, while Max, in the real world, baits Vecna by going to the Creel house with Lucas.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
Trolling crank baits along points and flats 15 feet deep over deeper water should still work.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baits
Verb
-
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.—
,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Owen is a serial killer who, much like Zodiac, taunts the police with phone calls threatening the murder of innocent citizens.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vulcano About an hour ferry ride from Milazzo, Vulcano lures visitors with its active volcano, Gran Cratere, and open-air mud baths just steps from the port, where bathers slather on the mineral-rich goodness before rinsing in the sea.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
Spring’s warmer weather lures people outdoors – and into possible contact with ticks that spread Lyme disease.—
Lakshmi Chauhan,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The sneak peek teases friendly competition between the couple and fellow captain Maneet Chauhan, whose team won season 6 of the barbecue showdown.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
Based on the bestseller from author Colleen Hoover, Johnson stars in the film adaptation that teases lingering secrets and a dark sinister mystery awaiting to be solved.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Frida is the most significant secondary figure — the person who tempts Gabrielle away from her trajectory, making her pause and ponder roads not taken.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baits. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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