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 In our testing, a paper-funnel trap baited with overripe fruit and fruit-forward vinegar consistently caught the most flies. — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026 Some programs investigate complaints by setting small surveillance traps—often baited with light, carbon dioxide, water, or another attractant—to collect mosquitoes, identify the species, and gauge where activity is concentrated. — Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baited

Verb

The older Green Lantern taunted the alien so much, that the creature detonated itself, blowing a hole into the side of the jail.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026
Kotzmacher said people leaving the arena pointed, laughed and taunted her group over Indiana’s loss and Cunningham’s performance.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of taunted

Verb

The mini bar—located inside a gorgeous wooden cabinet—was filled with local spirits like pox, a Mayan liquor made of corn, sugar cane, and wheat, and Mayalen Guerrero mezcal in a bottle so beautiful I was tempted to sneak it back in my suitcase.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Countries beyond the United States may be tempted to blackmail their allies, and the threat of nuclear attacks could become normalized.

— Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of tempted

Verb

The launch is the inaugural step in Shiseido’s bigger strategy of building a credible reputation in fragrances for Max Mara, as executives teased other launches are on the way.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
In previous materials released for season 2, Noizumi and Green teased Mizu’s continuing adventures.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of teased

Verb

Another tale describes maintenance workers at the Old Zoo dumping spoiled soda syrup off the cliff, which lured swarms of bees.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
At the crossroads of civilizations, this island nation has long lured design buffs with its walled villages, fairy-tale architecture, and mix of Arab and European influences.

— Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lured

Verb

Trump has all but severed America’s system of alliances, mocked and bullied Ukraine’s president, and showered praise upon Kim Jong Un.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Much of the vitriol apparently stems from the developers releasing GTA VI without physical copies of the game, a decision that was roundly mocked and derided last month.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of mocked

Verb

Blowing Oleksa’s cover would mean publicly admitting that there are five senators on her asset list — one of whom was seduced into posing for some, uh, compromising photographs.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026
Nevertheless, don’t be seduced by someone else (or even yourself), because things are not clear today.

— Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of seduced

Verb

Marvel Studios began moving its production operations to Georgia, enticed by the state’s uncapped tax credits that could be used for actors’ salaries.

— Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Ryninks was delighted to have enticed such a high calibre of Welsh talent aboard this small indie.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of enticed

Verb

Stuart Evey, who oversaw who oversaw Getty Oil’s investments outside its core oil business, persuaded the company's board to invest $10 million for an 85% stake.

— Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Last summer, Curtis persuaded them to join Citizen Historians, a grassroots effort to monitor Smithsonian exhibitions for political interference.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026