1
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
2
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
1
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
2
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
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Start by setting out baits labeled for carpenter ants (but keep them out of reach of kids and pets).
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Gel baits have quicker results than bait stations, meanwhile bait stations are perfect for ongoing maintenance after the use of gel baits.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
New for 2025 at Bass Pro Shops is BioBait—lures made from a revolutionary formula that breaks down faster than traditional plastic baits.
—Ally Jaksen, Outside, 17 Nov. 2025
At the emergency vet, Scout had normal vitals, and the professional at first thought that the dog was suffering from only an upset stomach caused by the baits.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports largemouth bass fishing is good at Grand Lake with crank baits, plastic worms or spinner baits around brush and docks.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Included are seven types of lure rigs, hooks, soft baits, hard baits, spinners and more.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Another good bet is the spinner baits mentioned for spring fishing.
—Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
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
Nancy adds that her family didn't know that the community was dropping the rabies baits, and didn't receive any mailers about the drop.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Trolling crank baits along points and flats 15 feet deep over deeper water should still work.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Always follow local rules and regulations when trapping and relocating gophers and never use poison baits, which can harm non-target animals like owls and pets.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Start by setting out baits labeled for carpenter ants (but keep them out of reach of kids and pets).
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Gel baits have quicker results than bait stations, meanwhile bait stations are perfect for ongoing maintenance after the use of gel baits.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
New for 2025 at Bass Pro Shops is BioBait—lures made from a revolutionary formula that breaks down faster than traditional plastic baits.
—Ally Jaksen, Outside, 17 Nov. 2025
At the emergency vet, Scout had normal vitals, and the professional at first thought that the dog was suffering from only an upset stomach caused by the baits.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports largemouth bass fishing is good at Grand Lake with crank baits, plastic worms or spinner baits around brush and docks.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Included are seven types of lure rigs, hooks, soft baits, hard baits, spinners and more.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Another good bet is the spinner baits mentioned for spring fishing.
—Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
Nancy adds that her family didn't know that the community was dropping the rabies baits, and didn't receive any mailers about the drop.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 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
-
So much for Anthropic's Super Bowl taunts.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In a 30-second clip, Adams is seen leaving a jet bridge while a woman who is walking ahead of him seemingly taunts Adams.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Travis Chicago Style, one of the Magic City’s oldest food trucks, lures fans with their gloriously messy burgers and hot dogs.—
Bob Carlton,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In the episode, Eilish portrayed the leader of a women’s empowerment cult that lures the main character, Dre (Dominique Fishback), into her charming clutches.—
Annie Harrigan,
Billboard,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The trailer teases a few of those moments, including one with Cyrus and her mom Tish Cyrus-Purcell sitting in Hannah Montana's iconic closet.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The film, based on a true story that became a media sensation in the '80s, never renders a definitive judgment on von Bülow (who was acquitted in court), leaving him an indelible enigma that Irons teases but never tells.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Which horizon tempts your curious steps now?—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
November 22 – December 21 Which horizon tempts your curious steps now?—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baits. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
