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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of baited
Traps can be baited with peanut butter, marshmallows, pet food, or other tidbits from your pantry.
—
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
The Muslim community in Dearborn, and indeed all Muslim communities across Michigan and the whole of our nation, will not be intimidated or baited by low-rent bigots.
—Heath Kalb, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025
Years later, Green said James baited him into the punch.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
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
Fears baited Arkansas forward Malique Ewin into a pair of first-half fouls.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
Thus, complementary approaches such as acoustic monitoring, baited remote cameras, and tagging studies, are still needed to build an accurate understanding of shark populations and movements.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
For a chipmunk that is causing structural damage, such as undermining the foundation of stairs or walkways, rat-sized snap traps baited with peanut butter are effective, says Anderson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
The Muslim community in Dearborn, and indeed all Muslim communities across Michigan and the whole of our nation, will not be intimidated or baited by low-rent bigots.
—Heath Kalb, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025
Years later, Green said James baited him into the punch.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
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
Fears baited Arkansas forward Malique Ewin into a pair of first-half fouls.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
Thus, complementary approaches such as acoustic monitoring, baited remote cameras, and tagging studies, are still needed to build an accurate understanding of shark populations and movements.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
For a chipmunk that is causing structural damage, such as undermining the foundation of stairs or walkways, rat-sized snap traps baited with peanut butter are effective, says Anderson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baited
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
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Flex, who taunted Cassie on Instagram immediately after the Diddy verdict, is not turning back that tide.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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As temperatures around the state continue to drop, you may be tempted to crank up your thermostat to battle the cold.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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That way, you aren’t tempted to doze on the couch or adult bed with the baby in your arms.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Hilary Duff teased a new single with a video of her singing in a soaking wet butter yellow dress.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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As teased by a first look clip, this twist will give way to season-long feuds, shocking betrayals, and plenty of trash talk.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Neuralink recently lured a top official away from the Food and Drug Administration office that regulates the company, a poaching that has surprised, impressed, and infuriated its competitors in a fledgling industry developing brain-computer interfaces.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
5 Jan. 2026
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Based on Diana Gabaldon’s book series, Outlander has lured audiences with its sweeping historical fantasy and once-in-a-lifetime(s) love story.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Several protesters with megaphones frequently celebrated or mocked the assassination of Charlie Kirk, usually accompanying the taunts with profanity.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Jan. 2026
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Tesla posted its second consecutive sales decline, losing its long‑held electric vehicle crown to a company the billionaire once mocked.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
5 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
Verb
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Many younger visitors have been enticed to visit the town thanks to its arts offerings, with rising numbers making the pilgrimage to the Frieder Burda Museum to take in its temporary exhibitions.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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These everyday investors are likely also enticed by Karp, who Luria said is similar to Tesla CEO Elon Musk in his ability to sell a business vision.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But the demonstrations are diffuse and largely leaderless, and Pezeshkian’s efforts at mediation — and the killings and arrests by security forces — have not persuaded the protesters to stay off the streets.—
Henry Austin,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
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The paintings worked because viewers did not need to be persuaded that these scenes mattered.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baited. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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