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
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
But booksellers are hopeful that their customers won’t take the bait.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
While Ellie and Dina (Isabela Merced) are out on patrol, Ellie encounters an Infected that has a level of intelligence, stalking her through the aisles and baiting her into traps.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
The attached marina offers fishing supplies, bait, ice, boat docking, fuel, snacks, laundry, showers, and restrooms for boaters.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
But booksellers are hopeful that their customers won’t take the bait.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
Romance baiting scams don’t start with a request for money.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
While Ellie and Dina (Isabela Merced) are out on patrol, Ellie encounters an Infected that has a level of intelligence, stalking her through the aisles and baiting her into traps.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
-
However, the lure, history and emotion of the English game is continually attracting investors to capture these distressed clubs, restructure and revive them, with the aim of replicating the success of Bournemouth, going from administration to Premier League in six years.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The 4-year-old was captured in Blue Springs Tuesday, April 22, with a fishing lure pinned to her lip, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported in an April 23 Facebook post.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Defensive tackle Ed Oliver will be only 28 in 2026, but the team did just draft Sanders and has a potential out from Oliver’s deal in 2027, yielding $13 million in cap space that year, which might persuade them to resist the temptation of taking away some of that flexibility.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
The temptation among Democratic lawmakers will be to hunt for new revenue.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Becky taunted Valkyria’s fiancee, who was in the crowd.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
-
The older Haliburton stormed the floor and taunted Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo after the game.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Users might be tempted to delay applying the update until there’s clarity from Microsoft, but often these reports are only seen afterward.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
-
One might be tempted to say that this dismissal is merely another episode in the grotesque sitcom that is Trumpian politics.—
Jack Hill,
Baltimore Sun,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
So organizations often fall into the trap of title inflation to retain or attract talent, which breeds entitlement, short-term thinking and cultures that don't support employees' well-being.—
Tonushree Mondal,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
There is no point in acting like Liverpool fans should be above the traps of tribalism and self-aggrandisement that all football fans fall into.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Prevost was so dedicated to becoming a priest, his brother would tease him about being the pope.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
-
However, the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has teased an agreement over the terms for such a ceasefire as Kyiv's allies meet in the Ukrainian capital this weekend.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
The film centers on a dental hygienist seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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Based on a script by Landes Echavarría and Duke Merriman, the story tells of a dental hygienist seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch gave Randle a quick hook, sending the forward to the bench for the next two minutes of action, much to Randle’s dismay — which was evident in the veteran’s body language.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2025
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The fee, $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents, pays for a T-shirt, drink, snack, bait and a fishing hook; participants must bring their own fishing pole.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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