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
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
People who are deaf or blind or veterans who have been declared 100% disabled, are eligible for special Independence hunts that allow baiting.
—Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
These areas are under carcass transportation and baiting restrictions to monitor and contain CWD, officials said.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
The key is refusing to engage in circular or baiting conversations, instead setting boundaries and exiting nonproductive conversations.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Is Tennessee’s new deer baiting law in effect?
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
Just baiting and jumping it and finishing the play.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Amazon is really baiting us to breakup with our iPads by offering 50% off the newest generation of their Fire tablet.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
The objectionable programs in that case were not the Republican-baiting precincts of late-night television but the social taboo-breaking entertainments of Three’s Company, All in the Family and Knots Landing.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
For reasons not entirely or even mostly of her own doing, Sweeney has become an exasperating celebrity — not above baiting the press, but so painstakingly media trained that her public appearances are devoid of substance and any sense of personality.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
People who are deaf or blind or veterans who have been declared 100% disabled, are eligible for special Independence hunts that allow baiting.
—Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
These areas are under carcass transportation and baiting restrictions to monitor and contain CWD, officials said.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
The key is refusing to engage in circular or baiting conversations, instead setting boundaries and exiting nonproductive conversations.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Is Tennessee’s new deer baiting law in effect?
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
Just baiting and jumping it and finishing the play.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Amazon is really baiting us to breakup with our iPads by offering 50% off the newest generation of their Fire tablet.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
The objectionable programs in that case were not the Republican-baiting precincts of late-night television but the social taboo-breaking entertainments of Three’s Company, All in the Family and Knots Landing.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 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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Enforcement of taunting penalties was a point of emphasis for the NFL before the 2025 season.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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The kickers were so poor that Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien could have been flagged for taunting by calling for a prevent defense at his own 31-yard line just before halftime.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There’s a Redwall vibe to the third installment, as fan-favorite rattkin Fern gets carried away on an impromptu adventure involving a chaos-goblin who holds a bounty tempting enough for all the ne’er-do-wells to try and collect on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Pricing must stay fair enough for casual fans yet tempting enough for collectors.—
Dmitrii Khasanov,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The former Nickelodeon sitcom stars posted a new video on Instagram Wednesday, teasing what appeared to be a casual interaction as Peck sipped on a large drink in a plastic container.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Japan Mobility Show is in full swing in Tokyo, and some of the largest automotive brands in the world are debuting and teasing vehicle concepts that could shape their future portfolios.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This 35% transferable tax credit incentive, introduced in 2012 alongside the Colombia Film Fund, has been luring a growing number of projects, with Netflix increasingly investing in more series and features.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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Paramount also made headlines on the talent front, luring the Duffer Brothers from Netflix but then allowing Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan to decamp for a deal with NBCUniversal.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Where internet trolls often come off as flippant or spiteful, there is a relentless sense of play and mastery of language in even McNally’s most needling posts.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Jennifer then develops a taste for human flesh and begins seducing and killing teenage boys.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Conveniently, two beautiful young strangers (Ana de Armas, Lorenza Izzo) come by late one stormy night, inviting themselves in and quickly seducing him.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Vice President Vance appeared on FOX News Channel’s The Ingraham Angle hours after the heckling incident, telling the host about visiting with the national guardsmen and discussing recent changes to the city, while briefly mentioning the protesters.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baiting. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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