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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bait
Arricca Elin Sansone,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
There's like this bait-and-switch going on.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
Most bait fishermen, however, are extremely conservative.
—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bait
Noun
The second method is installing below-ground bait systems every 10 to 20 feet around a building; the stations are monitored regularly for activity.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
There's like this bait-and-switch going on.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Verb
Police conducted a controversial sting operation involving an undercover policewoman, who contacted Stagg through a personals ad and tried to bait him into confessing to Nickell’s murder by posing as a romantic interest.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
Most bait fishermen, however, are extremely conservative.
—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
Noun
-
Is the artificiality and structural restriction of the majority of the season a lure for a show on the verge of going thoroughly bonkers in its finale?
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Food and drink Fine dining is perhaps the biggest lure for One&One One Za’abeel, with a host of starry venues from leading chefs in The Link, including La Dame De Pic by Anne-Sophie Pic; DuangDy by Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones of Bangkok’s Bo.
Noun
-
Feuchuk cautions against the temptation to compensate by extracting more revenue from existing members.
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Sports Minister Marie Barsacq urged caution, warning against swimming in unauthorized or hazardous areas despite the temptation to cool off.
Verb
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The groove passes between them without ever quite resolving, each jolt followed by a pocket of silence that feels almost taunting.
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Neither incidents involved taunting players from the opposing team, and both of those techs have reportedly been rescinded.
Verb
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Known as Vision 2030, profits from gas and oil have been pumped into the development of a leisure infrastructure to tempt tourists and boost the level of business to local companies.
-
Although some folks advise using a shortcut, don’t be tempted to use your oven.
Noun
-
Commercial shipping companies are also caught in a trap.
-
Losing his back left leg in a steel trap during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Verb
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Many fans also note the images sharpen the look at systems already teased rather than revealing brand-new ones, and Reddit threads quickly began mapping image locations and cataloging every Ultimate-only perk.
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Though liberties can be taken for the second season, the season finale heavily teased that the story’s continuation would explore Fortune’s novel, One Golden Summer, centered on Sam’s older brother Charlie.
Verb
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The writer thinks that the person seducing the main character is just some flotsam, hardly worth a second look.
-
Blyth was nominated in the supporting role as Mildred's spoiled daughter, Veda, who seduces her mother's second husband (Zachary Scott), then riddles him with bullets in a jealous rage.
Noun
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My career actually focuses on bonding and preventing taxpayers from being on the hook for the failures of bankrupt and corrupt companies.
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If organizers experience significant losses, the city would be on the hook for the first $270 million and possibly more after that.
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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