1
as in taunting
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
2
as in tempting
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 baiting
Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Diners aren’t baiting first-bite TikTok reaction shots.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
One of the most well-known is Kitboga, a YouTube personality, scammer-baiting streamer, and the founder of an anti-scam software company.
—Kim Key, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
The replies are mostly AI bots, or rage-baiting stan accounts.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
Never mind foul-baiting and load management, the hottest topics circling the NBA in 2026 are tanking and the opposite – trying too hard to win, allegedly, in the Clippers’ case.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
The city's Bureau of Rodent Control has around 20 baiting crews throughout Chicago during peak season, responding to more than 100,000 service requests per year.
—Tara Molina, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Kevin Huerter drew an offensive foul when the Lakers tried to push their luck in transition by baiting James into pushing his arm into Huerter’s neck.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Start with uncovered cups, then increase difficulty by baiting only some cups to encourage scent work.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
But this kind of consistency isn’t an accident or a matter of foul baiting.
—Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Diners aren’t baiting first-bite TikTok reaction shots.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
One of the most well-known is Kitboga, a YouTube personality, scammer-baiting streamer, and the founder of an anti-scam software company.
—Kim Key, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
The replies are mostly AI bots, or rage-baiting stan accounts.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
Never mind foul-baiting and load management, the hottest topics circling the NBA in 2026 are tanking and the opposite – trying too hard to win, allegedly, in the Clippers’ case.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
The city's Bureau of Rodent Control has around 20 baiting crews throughout Chicago during peak season, responding to more than 100,000 service requests per year.
—Tara Molina, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Kevin Huerter drew an offensive foul when the Lakers tried to push their luck in transition by baiting James into pushing his arm into Huerter’s neck.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Start with uncovered cups, then increase difficulty by baiting only some cups to encourage scent work.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baiting
Adjective
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To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Afroman published songs and music videos taunting the deputies.—
Andrew Graham
May 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
-
The days of some taunting him when Palace squeezed past Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this season are in the past.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Breakfast and all-day dining are served on the ground floor at Bivium, while the seasonal Notos Rooftop offers a menu of tempting cocktails and creative Mediterranean plates.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Robb Report,
4 June 2026
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Rising from the Mediterranean, this little isle, full of dramatic peaks and grottoes, has been tempting travelers for 2,000 years.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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Then, Metric’s peak came on 2009’s Fantasies, which paired needling electronics with thumping drum programming; both it and its follow-up, Synthetica, hit the top 10 on the Canadian albums chart and went platinum in Canada.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
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For power users, this sort of thing can’t help but read as needling, even petty platform quirks.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Further, Smith has spent the past nine months teasing a potential run for the White House.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
-
Interest in the company has been high for years, with Musk teasing an IPO along the way.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Verb
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That’s because casinos want to show off big winners, luring in more players, while wins in quiet corners might not draw the same attention.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Five suspects face charges after allegedly luring two teens to an Arlington park Wednesday night in order to attack them, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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Charles Barkley was once spitting mad at a heckling fan, and his expectoration wound up splashing on an 8-year-old girl.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
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Reuters reported that BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who hosted the dinner of some 200 people as co-chair of the World Economic Forum, ended the dinner after the heckling incident — before dessert was served.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That means seducing Paris Carver, Elliot's wife and Bond's ex, portrayed by Teri Hatcher.—
John Russell,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
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Nate plays his older neighbors like a fiddle, seducing them with his beauty, money, and youth.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baiting. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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