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
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 18 Jan. 2025
Newsom won’t take the bait Thankfully, Newsom refuses to respond in kind.
—Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025
Marty Biagi is in charge of the special teams unit that returned a kickoff for a touchdown, kicked three field goals and baited Georgia into a key offsides penalty in the fourth quarter by quickly subbing out its entire punt team for the offense on fourth-and-1.
—Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
Scammers often target jobseekers randomly, hoping someone takes the bait.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 18 Jan. 2025
Newsom won’t take the bait Thankfully, Newsom refuses to respond in kind.
—Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
His ability to exploit Daniels’ aggression — baiting him into three first-half fouls — was critical, forcing the Hawks’ defensive anchor to the bench and limiting his usual effectiveness.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025
Marty Biagi is in charge of the special teams unit that returned a kickoff for a touchdown, kicked three field goals and baited Georgia into a key offsides penalty in the fourth quarter by quickly subbing out its entire punt team for the offense on fourth-and-1.
—Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
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Stevenson, who will receive the award April 24, graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, but the lure of golf was too strong to ignore.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2025
-
The lure to escape with a special someone is strong when the moon activates Neptune.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Robert Kagan: Trump is facing a catastrophic defeat in Ukraine Europeans and Americans, Democrats and Republicans, can resist the temptations of boredom and distraction.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2025
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For many, the temptation is to throw up their hands in frustration, but giving in to hopelessness is not an option.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The social media war shifted when Lyles taunted Hill after winning the 60-meter race at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix earlier this month.—
Paulina Dedaj,
Fox News,
15 Feb. 2025
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Investigators said that before he was arrested, Tabler called the Bell County Sheriff’s Office to taunt deputies about the murders and threatened to kill more employees and undercover law enforcement at the strip club.—
Jim Vertuno and Michael Graczyk,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In my interpretation, I am tempted to see a lesson in holding on to things more tightly, in keeping better track, in cherishing harder.—
Melissa Kirsch,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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Light wood beams and moldings, thick rugs underfoot, and minimalist furnishings tempt even the most dedicated skiers to stay indoors.—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Many business owners fall into the trap of believing that busyness is the same as being productive.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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Another slice of the trailer appears to be showing a chain of explosions going off, indicating that players might be able to set up more complex traps or breaches than currently.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On Saturday night, Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant teased an appearance in the dunk contest while also challenging high flyers and stars Nuggets' Aaron Gordon and Kings' Zach LaVine.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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Leighton, who played Sydney Andrews in the show, also teased what viewers could expect from the new series.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Cruz, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' (2009) Woody Allen's romantic comedy stars Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson as friends who travel to Spain and are seduced by a local painter (Javier Bardem).—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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Cookbook authors suggested preparing French food at home to seduce a lover.—
Rachel Hope Cleves / Made by History,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The most important variation is the hook placement.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
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This would be like NBA teams back in the day trying to ban Kareem’s sky hook or MLB teams outlawing Mariano Rivera’s cutter.—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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