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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bait
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Amos’s plan is to use Dinah as bait and wait for the target to come looking for her.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
These sorts of questions can easily come across as a way to bait family members, rather than engage in meaningful conversation.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
The movie has Oscar-bait performances from Jeremy Allen White as the Boss and Jeremy Strong as Landau.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Amos’s plan is to use Dinah as bait and wait for the target to come looking for her.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
In a high-concept meta bait-and-switch, Pam Tanowitz choreographed Beethoven’s Pastoral symphony, then swapped out the score for a new para-Pastoral, by Caroline Shaw.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
These sorts of questions can easily come across as a way to bait family members, rather than engage in meaningful conversation.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
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McKernan noted that the town’s lure isn’t just the snow, but also the village and Big Bear Alpine Zoo.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The lure of a coveted Riverside jacket, bag and sneakers enticed Powell to try out for the team.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Writer-director Craig Brewer resists the temptation to make Mike and Claire in any way pitiful or worthy of derision.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The temptation when considering an experienced actor’s directorial debut is to see it as a glimpse into what matters most to them — or conversely, what matters least.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lazzaro argued in court the mall victim was the aggressor and had taunted Hernandez over his history as a government informant, saying his reputation as a snitch would put him in grave danger back in prison.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The two come face-to-face at the end of the episode, during which Callahan taunts Kyle over his wife's murder.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Overbuy with the price still affordable At just under $80 an ounce currently, but with the potential for significant growth high right now, investors may be tempted to overbuy silver while the price is still affordable.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
This is where brands can tempt consumers with limited runs.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Some people even shared old photos of Indigenous peoples wearing the hoods, noting that the originators of the design kept the fur outward to break cold wind and trap snow.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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At one point, a trap even caught the wrong bear.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In August 2025, the company announced plans to enter the automotive sector and teased two concept cars that drew heavy comparisons to the Bugatti Chiron and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Also at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Cyrus teased a potential return to the beloved, wig-wearing character.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Released in 1994, Sátántangó (based on László Krasznahorka’s novel) chronicled an impoverished Hungarian village that becomes seduced by a would-be prophet who has seemingly come back from the dead.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
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This year, we were seduced by silver trays and a new take on the TV-dinner table.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
After a successful two weeks at the box office, Paul Feig’s The Housemaid is letting Millie off the hook and onto her next victim.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2026
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These hooks offer much more than just functionality, according to designer Heidi Houdek.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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