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
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Recent Examples of baited
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baited
Verb
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Edwards taunted Nuggets fans at the end of Minnesota’s Game 7 win in 2024, getting on Jokic’s nerves in the process.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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The former South Carolina guard was drafted by the Indiana Fever on Monday, April 13, meaning Johnson and Clark will now be teammates, three years after the former Iowa star taunted Johnson by refusing to defend her in the national semifinal game.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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You’d have been tempted to say it was meant to be.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Alternatively, you may be tempted to toss items that could have some monetary value.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ricky Saints, Joe Hendry and Blake Monroe were teased for this week.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy teased the possibility last summer when a reporter asked if a new Penn Station would get a new name.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The department, officials told The Times, also has lost several deputies to other nearby departments, lured with bonuses and better pay.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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The prosecution showed the jurors chilling video and audio evidence that included Athena’s last moments after Horner lured her inside the FedEx van.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The following year, the Swiss Mad watch—sporting a case made from a composite infused with real Swiss cheese and a red fumé dial echoing the Swiss flag—mocked the loose standards behind the Swiss Made label, which require only half a watch’s components originate in the country.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
2 May 2026
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Moments after the Nuggets’ loss, former ESPN broadcaster Mark Jones mocked Jokic and celebrated his loss.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Onscreen, Andy was being seduced by a heavily jawed man with blond hair.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Every summer, stylish crowds congregate along France’s southeastern shores, seduced by the glamorous promise of the French Riviera, spending their days sipping overpriced cocktails at the high-end resorts that line its sandy beaches as if plucked straight from a Slim Aarons photo.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It was billed as a conference of all opposition parties but media reports suggested that Obi, who remains popular with young voters and in the southeast, could be enticed out of the pact to run on a distinct platform.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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California’s fertile farm fields once enticed thousands of Dust Bowl refugees fleeing along Route 66 during the Great Depression.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That performance persuaded Combs to run Dust Commander 15 days later in the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass Stakes.—
Neil Milbert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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From there, partiers mingle in the lobby, pose for photographs on a red carpet, and search out any celebrities who have been persuaded to show up.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baited. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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