red-bait

verb

red-baited; red-baiting; red-baits
often capitalized R

transitive verb

: to subject (a person or group) to red-baiting

intransitive verb

: to engage in red-baiting
red-baiter noun often capitalized R

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of red-bait was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near red-bait

Cite this Entry

“Red-bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red-bait. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!