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
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
Traps can be baited with peanut butter, marshmallows, pet food, or other tidbits from your pantry.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
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
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
Traps can be baited with peanut butter, marshmallows, pet food, or other tidbits from your pantry.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baited
Verb
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Police say Woods taunted Stewart before pulling the trigger, but the exact motive is unknown.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
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This question has tantalized and taunted Bulls fans for years — and this trade deadline is no different.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The venue enforces a strict no-camera policy, so even though you’ll be tempted to take a video, play it cool.—
Roger Kisby,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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Of course, Saudi Aramco isn’t the only one tempted by the returns crude‑to‑chemicals promises.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The games were originally teased at the culmination of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
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Last April, the Sinners filmmaker teased his vision during an appearance on The Last Podcast on the Left.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Physical contact alleged The suit also alleges Post hugged and kissed the teen at school and later lured the student into her car, where the assaults occurred.—
Giles Hudson,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Some of those combatants say they were lured to Mexico under false pretenses and forced to fight.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Watsonville, a Pajaro Valley school board member publicly ranted against the Jewish community, and at a Berkeley Unified school board meeting, a mother reporting Jewish slurs was mocked, and subsequently her job information was posted online, the suit states.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
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Cottin mocked those calling for French filmmakers to make more profitable movies.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Consistently adversarial to power; never seduced into the club; consistently going after the highest powers (the president, for instance) over and over.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Pine seduced Roper away from Corky [Roper’s fixer, played by Tom Hollander, who was killed off in season one].—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In other words, chances are that even more young people will be enticed to bet on how many vehicles will pass by in CCTV footage.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
19 Feb. 2026
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Employers have long offered housing assistance, particularly to higher-status workers or those who are being enticed to relocate to expensive areas.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Traum wasn’t persuaded by defenses offered by the NCAA.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 Feb. 2026
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He later was persuaded that there would be a role for him.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baited. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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