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
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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
Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 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
What's remarkable is not just the specific policy suggestion itself—after all, federal force has been called in to assist state-level law enforcement plenty of times—but rather how Trump is once again baiting his political opponents into defending the indefensible.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
People argue about how much space a birder should give to its target, and whether baiting them with food is appropriate.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
Exclude ants by baiting them at the base of your specimen infested with the fungus or apply Vaseline to the trunk of the tree or branches of the shrub in a two-inch wide band.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Matty also accepts an apology from Olympia, who feels bad about baiting her (and then recording her).
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 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
What's remarkable is not just the specific policy suggestion itself—after all, federal force has been called in to assist state-level law enforcement plenty of times—but rather how Trump is once again baiting his political opponents into defending the indefensible.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
People argue about how much space a birder should give to its target, and whether baiting them with food is appropriate.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
Exclude ants by baiting them at the base of your specimen infested with the fungus or apply Vaseline to the trunk of the tree or branches of the shrub in a two-inch wide band.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baiting
Verb
-
Gilligan wants to see people from across the partisan spectrum interact face to face, instead of taunting each other online.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Running back Javonte Williams was fined $16,830 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet), center Brock Hoffman was fined $6,111 for taunting, and safety Donovan Wilson was fined $23,186 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet).—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pricing must stay fair enough for casual fans yet tempting enough for collectors.—
Dmitrii Khasanov,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Our moments of uncanny convergence—like bumping into an old flame at the exact right (or wrong) time—function like indulgences did in the days of Martin Luther, tempting us in the promise of paradise.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
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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Bieber made his debut on Twitch yesterday with a stream that included footage of the singer playing basketball, shooting pool with friends and teasing his upcoming Coachella dates.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
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Samsung’s first Galaxy XR headset is now official, but that hasn’t stopped the company teasing future AR products.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He is accused of luring a young girl into his van parked in the church’s parking lot or to the church’s basement to abuse the girl over and over during a seven-year period, according to the release.—
Ryanne Mena,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
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Despite the recent spotlight on O’Donnell and Dokoupil, CBS News executives have begun making outreach to talent agencies in hopes of luring new anchors to the fold, according to three people familiar with the matter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
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Here are some of the less invasive procedures seducing Hollywood, as well as some of their most sought-after practitioners.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 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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That could help with a key goal of the new transit line — persuading people who commute by car to give a more comfortable bus experience a try.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Despite a recent plan to overhaul California’s strict insurance regulations in hopes of persuading carriers to expand coverage in fire-risk areas, many homeowners have yet to see any immediate changes.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baiting. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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