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 The federal agency detailed removal efforts on its website, including traps baited with eggs and trackers to lure tegus and study their movements. — Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baited

Verb

Nick Aldis’ wife Mickie James was ringside, where she was taunted by an arrogant Gunther.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Pfister taunted them as his wife ridiculed them for trying to cover their windows.

— Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of taunted

Verb

Before the show’s official announcement, Brown teased a reunion with Harbour during the June 24 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

— Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026
One of the original Blue Bloods is making a trip to Beantown after Donnie Wahlberg teased an upcoming guest star on Boston Blue.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of teased

Verb

El-Sayed accused Stevens of representing a failing political establishment and mocked the outside spending supporting her campaign.

— Nik Popli, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
Since the education minister's resignation, Modi has also spoken of forgiving those who had mocked the prime minister, an apparent effort to reconnect with younger audiences.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 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

Especially if Anthony Davis came to the Bay with LeBron — which was one of the ways the Warriors could’ve enticed LeBron but didn’t like the price to get AD out of Washington — Golden State would have been an instant must-watch.

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
The brand also enticed fans with daily specials like $1 Mexican pizza.

— Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Definition of enticed

Verb

But Ormund’s real secret weapon is Ulf, who has suffered enough indignity at the hands of the Blacks, or so he’s been persuaded.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
The kingdom must be persuaded to accept the full scope of IAEA safeguards, including the intrusive inspections required by the Additional Protocol.

— Yoel Guzansky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026