bait and switches

noun

plural of bait and switch
as in volte-faces
US a selling method in which a customer is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced product but then is encouraged to buy a more expensive one

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait and switches
  1. about-turns
  2. flip-flops
  3. turnarounds
  4. about-faces
  5. renunciations
  6. reversals
  7. disavowals
Noun
  • The specific reasons behind the about-turns are not clear, as both Iraq and Pakistan had earlier received approvals from Iran to transit the strait.
    — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of about-turns
Noun
  • This guest lets her turquoise skort take centerstage by pairing it with a heather gray tank and black flip-flops.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • Shoppers can save up to 57 percent on breezy summer sundresses, comfy flip-flops, cooling bedding, and more, including picks from top brands like Laneige and Madewell.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of flip-flops
Noun
  • Quadrivio does not do turnarounds or deep operational distress transformations.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • These strategies include quicker processing turnarounds for contracts with behavioral health organizations and job recruitment, preventative infrastructure maintenance and faster deliveries of social services.
    — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
Definition of turnarounds
Noun
  • Ads, in fact, represent one of the biggest about-faces for Netflix, given that choosing to go down this road required the company building an entirely new infrastructure — from ad tech and measurement tools, to sales teams and advertiser relationships.
    — Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • The Chapek chapter and previous succession about-faces that saw presumed heirs-apparent like Tom Staggs leave the company were blemishes on Iger’s otherwise strong record.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of about-faces
Noun
  • Annual renunciations surged to a record high of 6,705 in 2020, with numbers remaining elevated ever since, according to immigration services company Boundless.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of renunciations
Noun
  • Short dramas are about big emotions and dramatic reversals; the heroes and villains are generally clearly delineated.
    — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026
  • For more on Lilly granting access of its drug to one person, go here; to read more on M&A, go here; to learn more about the hair loss drug, go here; and for more on the FDA’s reversals, go here and here.
    — Elaine Chen, STAT, 25 June 2026
Definition of reversals
Noun
  • The post marks a significant shift from the President’s past disavowals of the unpopular right-wing policy blueprint, which was created by conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation ahead of the 2024 election.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
  • But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of disavowals
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Bait and switches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait%20and%20switches. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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