BAITS Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

baits 1 of 2

noun

plural of bait

as in lures

something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap cheese is the traditional bait for trapping mice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repellents

as in temptations

something that persuades one to perform an action for pleasure or gain the promise of free vacation is surefire bait to get people to agree to be chaperones for school trips

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

baits

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bait

as in taunts

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

as in tempts

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 baits

Noun

Start by setting out baits labeled for carpenter ants (but keep them out of reach of kids and pets). —

Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 June 2026 Endless varieties of insect larvae also make astonishingly effective baits, but few fishermen — except ice-fishermen who buy mealworms and waxworms in bait shops — even use them. —

Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 Borax and Sugar Bait Another DIY solution is to create borax and sugar baits and leave them out for the ants. —

Cori Sears, The Spruce, 4 June 2026 Step two, if pests still show up, is traps and baits. —

Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2026 Whether alone or in combination, baits placed on the path between your home and the parent colony can stop carpenter ants in their tracks. —

Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026 Experts recommend using ant baits to kill the entire colony or calling a pest control professional for large infestations. —

Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Verb

Officials will continue to investigate the area for further evidence of poison bait, and also stressed the importance of the community's cooperation to discourage and prevent the use of poison baits against wildlife. —

Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026 Whereas fast fashion baits consumers with poorly made clothing available for a limited time, Jendue takes a more elevated approach with high quality denim from Turkey. —

Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Mar. 2026 Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs. —

Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026 This Christmas, Nelson’s surprising and fresh remake baits controversy in a couple new ways. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025 Steve, Robin, Nancy, Eddie and Dustin head to the Upside Down, while Max, in the real world, baits Vecna by going to the Creel house with Lucas. —

Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025 Trolling crank baits along points and flats 15 feet deep over deeper water should still work. —

Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baits

Verb

In the final episode of the season, Max taunts Pip on her way to Stanley’s funeral as his companion, a young blonde, laughs and drinks wine.

— Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.

— , FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026