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
Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
Except our bait is the comfortable sneakers that may as well be the only ones in the Catch & Release star’s closet: the Seavees Acorn Trainers.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 1 May 2025
Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
His first assist for Arsenal was for Gabriel Martinelli away to Leicester City in February 2023 after baiting Harry Souttar with a stepover and nutmeg.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
The possibility that the perfect parenting fix is just a click or two away has become just as addictive as any other handheld engagement bait.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025
Except our bait is the comfortable sneakers that may as well be the only ones in the Catch & Release star’s closet: the Seavees Acorn Trainers.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
The underarm serve: an effective strategy to exploit a deep returning position or a disrespectful trick shot used to bait and provoke your opponent?
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
His first assist for Arsenal was for Gabriel Martinelli away to Leicester City in February 2023 after baiting Harry Souttar with a stepover and nutmeg.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
-
The lure of Bayern is that Wirtz knows the Bundesliga inside out and if anything, joining a more dominant force will make his life easier.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Recruiters trick, lure, cajole, or simply abduct the children from their homes and send them across the country, where they are sold to the highest bidders.—
Elizabeth Dickinson,
Foreign Affairs,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
The temptation to appear unflappable is strong, especially at the top.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
But the temptation to point fingers at Republicans and play whataboutism — instead of acknowledging what millions of voters perceive as the acquiescence of Democrats to institutional corruption — will be fatal.—
Alexander Heffner,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Soon, a malevolent fetch -- his ghostly double -- emerges, taunting him with hallucinations of his dead son and dragging him toward the brink of madness.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2025
-
Noted, But Not Personal After the Pacers eliminated the Knicks last season, Myles Turner went viral for parading through New York City and taunting Knicks fans.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
There was interest from the Saudi Pro League last summer, and clubs may be tempted to try again.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
To design the space, interior designer Laura Gonzalez was tasked with reimagining One Wall Street into a shopping experience luxurious enough to tempt shoppers down to the Financial District.—
Sarah Wood González,
Vogue,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
The bagless self-empty base can hold up to 60 days of dirt and debris, and HEPA filtration traps 99.97% of allergens.—
& John Mihaly,
PC Magazine,
27 May 2025
-
Some gardeners will plant zinnias as a trap crop, hoping to distract beetles from their prized roses.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
In a Zoom conversation prior to the release of Reacher Season 3 in February, Ritchson and Sten playfully teased the possibility.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Joy Behar teased, snapping Goldberg out of her short snooze.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Sirens is smartest when paralleling the entitlement of 21st century American wealth with Ancient Greek divinity, skewering the insularity and entitlement of these modern plutocrats who throw galas to honor themselves and to torment or seduce the mortals who are their employees and playthings.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
-
This would suck capital investment back to America in a nanosecond and financially seduce companies to reshore factories, labs and headquarters back here with bargain-low tax rates.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Start with a hook that grabs attention in the first 5-8 words.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
And yet, by hook or by crook, Black Americans took their education into their own hands.—
Karida L. Brown,
Essence,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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