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
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
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The woman alleged that Jackson repeatedly refused to delete the video and then taunted her with it.
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When Metcalf and others asked him to leave, Anthony taunted and provoked Metcalf, took out a knife and stabbed him, prosecutor Bill Wirskye said, according to KTVT.
Verb
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Don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to rewear it!
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When revenues are trending upward, entrepreneurs can be tempted to reinvest all excess capital back into their businesses.
Verb
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As the episode teased, 12 new boys are set to make their Love Island USA debut on Monday, June 22, continuing the high-stakes week full of fresh connections, messy romances and shocking twists.
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This was first teased during an animation segment at CinemaCon, then apparently teased again at Annecy today in the Warner reel.
Verb
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Police say the violence on Sydney’s streets is being orchestrated from abroad – and teenagers are being lured into the complex web of gang warfare with the promise of fast cash.
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The victims told police that Arnold’s friends lured them to an apartment, held them at gunpoint and hit them, all the while streaming the attack to Arnold.
Verb
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Her party has often mocked the country’s efforts to adapt to climate change, and has fought any effort to reduce its effects.
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The 19-year-old was mocked as a late first-round, early second-round selection.
Verb
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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.
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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.
Verb
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Seen from the other side of the deal, that means that bond issuers must pay higher yields, or rates, for investors to be enticed to buy.
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Financial incentives offered by the conservation district, in conjunction with federal programs, have enticed farmers in the South Fork of the Republican River near Burlington to end irrigation on an additional 20,000 acres.
Verb
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Those massive market gains have persuaded stockholders to spend.
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The 26-year-old midfielder was injured for the match in Minsk and reportedly only decided to take the flight as a last-minute decision after being persuaded to do so by his team-mates.
Cite this Entry
“Baited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baited. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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