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
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
Ian Wright lost his temper with anyone and everyone and after the game ended up yelling out the windows of the dressing room in a slanging match with the fans below in Avenell Road who had been baiting the players.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 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
That’s a tall order after expanding a literary world once, but doing it twice without baiting catastrophe is exponentially harder.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025
The disease was deeply contagious and caused horrific suffering to those afflicted, so public assemblies—like theater shows and bear-baiting fights—were frequently canceled to help slow the spread.
—Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
Ian Wright lost his temper with anyone and everyone and after the game ended up yelling out the windows of the dressing room in a slanging match with the fans below in Avenell Road who had been baiting the players.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 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
That’s a tall order after expanding a literary world once, but doing it twice without baiting catastrophe is exponentially harder.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025
The disease was deeply contagious and caused horrific suffering to those afflicted, so public assemblies—like theater shows and bear-baiting fights—were frequently canceled to help slow the spread.
—Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baiting
Adjective
-
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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Much of Chicago’s offense came from ex-Knick Guerschon Yabusele, who finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds while taunting his former teammates.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Defense attorney Kevin Rousseau suggested in witness questioning that Bell-Johnson, who is known as One Leg and uses a prosthetic limb, sought comfort in gang membership in part because of taunting connected to his disability.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gold has been on a historic run over the last year, grabbing headlines and tempting investors who want something tangible that isn't tied to corporate earnings.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Only the magnetic Ksenia (Vikander) is beyond his control, tempting him away from this dangerous game.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pre-seeding While EMV levels may cool off quickly in the months following a launch, brands are increasingly drumming up pre-launch interest by teasing newness and seeding products to creators, in some cases, months in advance.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
27 Feb. 2026
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After a flurry of activity since teasing reunion shows last March, the band will release A Wave That Will Never Break, produced by Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom, on April 10.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The disguise simultaneously repels birds and other larger predators, who have no interest in eating what appears to be excrement, while luring in the spider’s next dinner.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
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The disguise simultaneously repels birds and larger predators, who have no interest in eating what appears to be excrement, while luring in the spider’s next dinner.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Then, again, the needling cold.—
Roey Leonardi,
The Atlantic,
22 Feb. 2026
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In cases of significant thinning, Small recommends procedures like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or micro-needling.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Waugh walks around with a newfound swagger, playing hooky, drinking heavily, even seducing a woman at his local.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Ian Somerhalder’s character delights in seducing aggro closeted dudes.—
Ky Henderson,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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 3 Mar. 2026.
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