bait

bait

verb

Definition of BAIT

1

to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults <as the first woman to work in the mines, she was mercilessly baited by the men on her shift>

Synonyms bait, hassle, haze, heckle, needle, ride, taunt

Related Words deride, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, ridicule; annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, fret, frost, gall, get, gnaw (at), grate, gripe, hack (off), hagride, irk, irritate, itch, nag, nark [British], nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, trouble, vex; aggravate, exasperate, goad, test, try; aggrieve, agitate, bedevil, beleaguer, discomfort, disturb, perturb; badger, dog, hound; browbeat, bully, hector; harass, harry, persecute, plague, terrorize, torment, torture

2

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 allure, bait, beguile, betray, decoy, entice, lead on, seduce, solicit, tempt

Related Words draw in, inveigle, persuade, rope (in), snow; catch, enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entrap, mesh, snare, tangle, trap; bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate, magnetize, wile

Near Antonyms alert, caution, forewarn, ward (off), warn; drive (away or off), repulse, turn away