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
Relevance
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
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
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 neighbor, who lived across the hall from Valentine, said the suspect routinely taunted her from inside her apartment, uttering her insults through the microphone of a doorbell camera.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
For anyone tempted to re-create the techniques at home, Ezratty strongly suggests seeing a professional.—
Lauren Finney Harden,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
-
You might be tempted to use chemical drain cleaners for their quick fix, but be cautious.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
After the Jumbotron teased a mystery guest throughout the first half, Cardi B performed a short halftime show at Madison Square Garden.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
Plus, Pink will be hosting for the first time — and she's teased that she's set to sail through the Radio City skies with some unbelievable acrobatics.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
One night, they were both lured into a forest by aliens disguised as animals.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
Forty-eight hours before the 1980 presidential election, Carter was lured back to the White House from his desperate reelection campaign.—
Chris Matthews,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Gaudí’s radical, modernist designs were mocked in his lifetime but have subsequently been celebrated.—
Ashley Mowreader,
NBC news,
13 June 2026
-
The bear designed on the flag was mocked by some, due to its closer resemblance to a pig.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
One class in, and Hannah is thoroughly seduced both by Melanie’s flattery and by her therapyspeak approach to acting, with its talk of truth-telling and connecting to one’s body.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Young women being preyed upon and seduced by rapacious Hollywood producers, stars and studio heads is a tired cliché, but like all clichés, it is based on reality.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Starter Mason Cook enticed Deiten Lachance into a 6-4-3 double play that scored the run.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
-
More Arsenal fans have searched for the shirt since the parade, with 55 bought from Etsy in the 24 hours after the parade, but the reference is what enticed buyers pre-title win.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The administration has persuaded several dozen countries to take in deportees who are not their own citizens, including African countries plagued by armed conflict, civil unrest and political turmoil, like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
They were persuaded by the details.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baited. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
