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
Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
The Patriots cut bait with two NFL-caliber players this week in wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and safety Jabrill Peppers.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Carl Anka, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Exclude ants by baiting them at the base of your specimen infested with the fungus or apply Vaseline to the trunk of the tree or branches of the shrub in a two-inch wide band.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
Some residents, like Rose Kleine of Cedar Lake, are concerned that the developers are planning a bait-and-switch tactic to acquire the land for a data center.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
The Patriots cut bait with two NFL-caliber players this week in wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and safety Jabrill Peppers.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
Across pre-season, Amorim’s men have looked to bait the press onto them when building in and around their penalty area, before looking to hit the ball into the channels for the wing-backs or the No 10s to latch onto.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Exclude ants by baiting them at the base of your specimen infested with the fungus or apply Vaseline to the trunk of the tree or branches of the shrub in a two-inch wide band.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
-
But even without European football, and after a decade in which Old Trafford has at times resembled a graveyard for promising careers, the lure of Manchester United — in terms of glamour, prestige and finance — remains powerful.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Once again, companies that succeed in this space are those that resist the lure of a universal solution.—
Divyaditya Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Leaving the area removes temptation to touch the firearm and reduces danger of negligent injury from another person.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
-
There will be a temptation because of his height to draw parallels with Moyes’ use of Marouane Fellaini and Soucek, two key pillars of his Everton and West Ham sides, but where Rohl is concerned, his size can be deceptive.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The user who tweeted the video, @SMHIghlights1, taunted Sanders for wanting the starting quarterback job because Cleveland lost, and instead of joining in on the mockery, several fans in the comment section actually applauded Sanders for being a good teammate.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to Carter’s disqualification, Nolan Smith was flagged for taunting and roughing the quarterback.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Why Corporate Leaders Should Care Executives might be tempted to dismiss PSLF as a narrow policy issue affecting only government and nonprofit workers.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
You may be tempted to go straight in with loads of product, but for the best lash look, Gray recommends starting little by little.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Inconsistency is another trap—being visible during a launch but silent during challenges erodes credibility.—
Heather Rosenow,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Low-lying areas that trap water are perfect environments for mosses.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Speaking on a panel, Erik from Sharabati Denim teased an upcoming project that will re-wire how the company procures cotton.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The game doesn’t yet have a firm release date, with only a vague 2026 window teasing its launch on PlayStation 5 and PC.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The dramatic irony, of course, is that Julia did seduce Lovat and is now trying to take advantage of a precedent set by Davina with her own son, but Julia still ends up appealing to Davina’s better angels.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Either way, the intention is to transport, and to seduce, as with fine music.—
Douglas Unger
August 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
His work helps establish when the damage would have occurred, which insurers were on the hook, and the extent of cleanup that would be required.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
His customers had not let him off the hook.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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