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
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
Devers seems more like a franchise cornerstone than inevitable trade bait.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Perhaps we are spurred to do so via TV shows, YouTube videos, movies, and other media that often loosely and for click-baiting impact nonchalantly make use of the phrase.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
Although the account sometimes shares actual news, it’s frequently preoccupied by rapid-response engagement bait for MAGA diehards.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
Devers seems more like a franchise cornerstone than inevitable trade bait.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Some of this talk is probably just trolling; politicians understand the utility of baiting their opponents into outraged arguments.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Perhaps we are spurred to do so via TV shows, YouTube videos, movies, and other media that often loosely and for click-baiting impact nonchalantly make use of the phrase.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
-
The lure back to Annapolis, though, was too strong.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
And not just any wand toy, this one specifically and its original feather attachment, which uses the same swivel mechanism as a fishing lure to create movement through the air that registers as 100 percent authentic to cats.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Yet, for Hughes, it was deemed a price worth paying, even after the Southampton game when the temptation to become drawn into a public debate may have been acute.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
This systematic approach mitigates the temptation to chase performance and helps manage risk. 4.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes songs are written by fan clubs and are tailored to taunt that day’s opponent.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
The man’s life is unraveling because of the grief that takes the form of an unhinged and unwanted houseguest – a crow – that taunts him from the shadows.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Category extension: Beyond time pieces, time objects Being resilient also means finding new ways to be relevant for consumers who might have an abundant watch collection and might be much more difficult to tempt with new ones.—
Stéphane JG Girod,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Again, Lewandowski is coming short and tempting the right-sided centre-back higher up the pitch.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In one scene from their lives, a bear trap is intentionally left for Benjy to wander into it.—
Justin Porter,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Man traps woman in car for days: Police A Hawaii man was arrested for allegedly trapping an elderly woman in her car for several days and later forcing her to withdraw money from her bank account, according to the Honolulu Police Department.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The trailer also teases a subplot involving a pregnancy between Sue Storm and Reed Richards, possibly hinting at the birth of their son, Franklin Richards, a character with universe-altering powers in Marvel lore.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Fans of the finger food, made with a tortilla-crumb breading, can look forward to having it year-round, as Taco Bell teased plans to make nuggets part of the permanent menu by 2026.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The musical’s first act opens with the Moulin Rouge on the verge of closing, unless Satine can seduce a wealthy duke into becoming its patron — but for the moment, these financial woes are hidden behind the club’s glamorous veneer.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
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Sherri Parlay, a good woman with a high libido, is seduced into murder by the beguiling heir to a dry-cleaning fortune.—
Sara Gran,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Dodgers did get Glasnow off the hook for the loss in the bottom of the sixth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Cities such as Santa Monica would not necessarily see any of that money, leaving local taxpayers on the hook.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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