1
as in taunted
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
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2
as in tempted
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
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Recent Examples of baited
After Holmgren baited Hauser into a foul — deja vu from the final seconds of C’s-Thunder Round 1 — Baylor Scheierman replaced him and buried two quick triples, the second putting the Celtics up 74-73.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Claude, for example, wouldn’t be baited into partisan controversy.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
During Moore’s arrest, another officer baited him into making an incriminating statement, Judge Patton found at the preliminary hearing.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
The meme coin reeks of a scam called a rug pull, in which followers are baited into buying the coin to boost its value, before the founder sells all their assets at a higher price.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 28 Jan. 2026
In the throes of a second-half rally, the Bears baited a hook — three tight ends plus an extra offensive lineman — to lure a heavy personnel package from the Packers’ defense.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
They're known as problem crocodiles, though catching them is fairly easy, in cages baited with wild boar meat.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Traps can be baited with peanut butter, marshmallows, pet food, or other tidbits from your pantry.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
Lozano successfully baited Portland’s Juan Mosquera into shoving him, prompting a red card to close the Timbers’ night of frustration.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Claude, for example, wouldn’t be baited into partisan controversy.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
During Moore’s arrest, another officer baited him into making an incriminating statement, Judge Patton found at the preliminary hearing.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
The meme coin reeks of a scam called a rug pull, in which followers are baited into buying the coin to boost its value, before the founder sells all their assets at a higher price.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 28 Jan. 2026
In the throes of a second-half rally, the Bears baited a hook — three tight ends plus an extra offensive lineman — to lure a heavy personnel package from the Packers’ defense.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
They're known as problem crocodiles, though catching them is fairly easy, in cages baited with wild boar meat.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Traps can be baited with peanut butter, marshmallows, pet food, or other tidbits from your pantry.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
Lozano successfully baited Portland’s Juan Mosquera into shoving him, prompting a red card to close the Timbers’ night of frustration.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baited
Verb
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During Sunday afternoon’s series-ending Game 4 — which the Knicks won, 144-114 — the New York fans booed Joel Embiid loudly and taunted him with posters showing Mitchell Robinson dunking on him two days earlier.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2026
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The window next to my desk overlooks the gym’s large communal exercise room, and throughout the day, I am taunted by the sight of gyrating bodies panting through a Zumba class or a kettlebell set.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
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You might not be tempted to jump in during the peak summer months, but this would be a welcome indulgence when cooler temps set in.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
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But Roberts said he wasn’t tempted to have Ohtani hit Wednesday.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Starbucks unveils summer merch collections, including Miffy collab Starbucks also teased two new merchandise collections that will be released this summer, including one that is a collaboration with Miffy, the popular rabbit cartoon character.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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Although Talamasca is ending, AMC teased possible iterations of the universe in future shows.—
Alyssa Modos,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Cox’s death came four days after that of fellow Atlanta icon Ted Turner, who as owner of Braves lured Cox back to the team in 1990.—
Charles Odum,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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The prosecution argued that Bryant had encountered Morales before and likely followed her from the Sterling Glen Apartments, then either lured her with his badge or forced her into his truck before killing her and leaving her body in the woods.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Strickland then mocked Chimaev for refusing to fight in the parking lot.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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The burger became a viral sensation after Kempczinski posted a video of himself taking a nibble from one and was mocked for his tentative bite.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The sister of King Charles III is rarely seduced by trends, fashions, or labels.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
9 May 2026
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Onscreen, Andy was being seduced by a heavily jawed man with blond hair.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Some racers, such as Mayor Justin Raithel, who made it to the semifinals in his open class division, enticed their snails with lettuce.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
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Television functions, for him, as a looking glass through which we are enticed, the better to savor the strangeness of beings infinitely odder, if more resilient, than Humpty Dumpty.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Historically, Angelenos didn’t need to be persuaded to ride the train.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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But the price was worth it for Bischofberger, who persuaded Warhol to give him right of first refusal for his art, a stipulation that the artist upheld until his death in 1987.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baited. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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