BAITED Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

baited

verb

past tense of bait

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

Relevance

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

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of baited Spurs center Victor Wembanyama baited Towns and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson into fouls. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 There are baited Japanese beetle traps, but research at the University of Kentucky shows that the traps attract many more beetles than are actually caught. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 May 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baited

Verb

The actor taunted his kids over their expectations of the couples.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026
In the Chicago area, officials said three men captured a victim and shot him multiple times in the head and allegedly taunted his mother.

— Luke Barr, ABC News, 1 July 2026

Definition of taunted

Verb

Bryant Vincent’s team has teased in each of his first two years in Monroe, starting 3-1 last season before the roof caved in with eight straight setbacks.

— Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
While the flagship movie franchise is coming to an end, Diesel previously teased that NBCUniversal has four TV shows in development from the Fast & Furious world.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 July 2026

Definition of teased

Verb

The theory is that the deluge, which broke January daily rainfall records for Sydney, flushed sewage and other waste into the nearby coastal waters, attracting baitfish, which in turn lured sharks closer to shore.

— Sam Nichols, Scientific American, 8 July 2026
In the suit, Ibrahim alleges that he was lured to the gym under the pretense of a challenge and was ambushed by Watson, a co-owner of the gym and two other men.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of lured

Verb

The remaining readers are marginalized, mocked, and in many ways irrelevant.

— Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
More than 200 people were arrested in protest marches and anti-terror raids, including academics, lawyers, and journalists; a comedian who mocked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was held at the airport.

— Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of mocked

Verb

That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 July 2026
So instead of Syrax, the Blacks get close air support from Jace on Vermax and Moondancer, ridden by Baela, who is easily seduced into battle by Jace’s unchecked hero complex.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Definition of seduced

Verb

That subscription data, entertainment, and safety service offers complementary base services, but owners are enticed to upgrade for premium services.

— Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
The wellness experts have been enticed from big hitting destination spas such as Chiva Som in Thailand and Vana in India, and are perceptive and highly experienced, although communications between departments could be better.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026

Definition of enticed

Verb

While there, the nurse practitioner persuaded her to inject her nose with hyaluronic acid, but the injection ended up blocking an important artery, affecting blood flow to the eyes, according to Campos.

— Michelle Marchante July 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
He was not persuaded by NCAA arguments that the manual is not a contract between the NCAA and students who play varsity sports.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026