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
Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
All equipment, including a fishing pole, tackle and bait, will be provided.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 13 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
Simply buy some bait, hold it over the water, and get ready for a heart-pounding moment as the massive silvery fish leap up to grab their snack — cue the giddy screams, laughter, and plenty of photos.
—Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
All equipment, including a fishing pole, tackle and bait, will be provided.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 13 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 project as conceived would make a milestone for Orlando and the Parramore neighborhood, trading the disgrace of decrepit public housing for the lure of brand-new, below-market apartments primarily serving the region’s struggling families.—
Tyler Williams,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
-
The lure of the genre for me lies in the way that people react to difficult situations.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The temptation to check messages, see what the latest notification is, etc. could pull audience members away from the live speaker.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
The Trump administration must resist the temptation to focus on showy public-facing policies, such as unilateral drone strikes, which would practically force Sheinbaum to reduce cooperation in defense of Mexican sovereignty.—
WILL FREEMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
After taking care of business on the scoreboard, Matthew Tkachuk took care of business with Aho, taunting and pushing and trying to fight him in a manner Aho didn’t want and his Carolina teammates didn’t rush.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
25 May 2025
-
This isn’t just about the flashbacks to Reggie Miller taunting Spike Lee or those great battles from roughly three decades ago.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Research even suggests that delaying goal failure, rather than giving in immediately when you’re tempted to engage in a behavior that defeats your goals, helps maintain a positive self-perception of self-control.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Our tester liked the Rogue H2 so much that he was tempted to add it to his own home gym.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Mazzotti said iguanas love the color red — biologists often lure them into traps with red flowers, strawberries or even red marbles.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2025
-
During their surveys, researchers set up mist nets of various sizes and waited to see what flew into the traps, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
For example, in an exclusive with Vanity Fair, Chu teases two brand new songs written by original Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz that will be featured in the film.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
4 June 2025
-
Richard first teased their move to his wife’s native Spain in an April 2024 interview with Vanity Fair Spain, despite having lived in the United States since they got married in 2018.—
Natalia Senanayake,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Going even further, its materiality, terra-cotta, and its iconography, the corazón, seduce us to discover an even more seductive identity, a cultural and historical foundation, mexicanidad.—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
But prosecutors warned observers not to be seduced by soft appearances.—
Thomas Adamson,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Noun
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That doesn’t let Cease (1-4, 4.66) off the hook or make his lack of dominance any less concerning.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
-
After drying, store it with both ends hanging from a wall hook to allow for air circulation and prevent mold and mildew growth.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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