Synonyms of baits

baits 1 of 2

noun

plural of bait

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

• lures
• traps
• hooks
• decoys
• scents
• nets
• trolls
• snares
• spinners
• plugs
• ambushes
• incentives
• appeals
• attractions
• stool pigeons
• draws
• temptations
• seductions
• pulls
• enticements
• entanglements
• calls
• seducements
• entrapments

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repellents

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

• lures
• temptations
• incentives
• attractions
• stimuli
• enticements
• motivations
• allurements
• appeals
• boosts
• siren songs
• come-ons
• inducements
• impetuses
• turn-ons
• decoys
• impulses
• traps
• seductions
• encouragements
• snares
• goads
• calls
• persuasions
• spurs
• mousetraps
• seducements
• entrapments

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warnings
• notices
• alarms
• alerts
• cautions
• forewarnings

baits

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bait

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

• taunts
• teases
• mocks
• needles
• rides
• hazes
• ridicules
• annoys
• bothers
• picks on
• tortures
• plagues
• heckles
• bullies
• hassles
• makes game of
• irritates
• troubles
• tests
• gibes
• bugs
• tries
• badgers
• dogs
• goads
• grates
• nettles
• frosts
• ruffles
• pesters
• burns (up)
• riles
• spites
• hounds
• disturbs
• harasses
• itches
• nags
• narks
• torments
• gripes
• jeers
• rasps
• gnaws (at)
• peeves
• galls
• vexes
• irks
• beleaguers
• aggravates
• derides
• hacks (off)
• aggrieves
• exasperates
• gets
• piques
• frets
• agitates
• browbeats
• bedevils
• puts out
• persecutes
• perturbs
• chafes
• discomforts
• harries
• terrorizes
• hectors
• hagrides

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

• lures
• tempts
• seduces
• persuades
• entices
• decoys
• leads on
• betrays
• traps
• solicits
• beguiles
• allures
• fascinates
• snows
• snares
• draws in
• meshes
• enchants
• entraps
• ensnares
• catches
• tangles
• charms
• inveigles
• ropes (in)
• enmeshes
• captivates
• magnetizes
• wiles
• bewitches

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warns
• cautions
• alerts
• turns away
• wards (off)
• drives (away or off)
• forewarns
• repulses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of baits

Noun

When colonies are established, UC IPM recommends using ant baits rather than broad insecticide sprays. — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026

These baits typically contain a slow-acting poison that the earwigs will carry back to their nests, affecting the entire population. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026

Control methods range from hand-picking pests and using baits to applying pesticides and pruning plants. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 7 July 2026

In the 1970s, when Texas had 29,000 cases of screwworm, the state used several rounds of an insecticide placed in fly baits on patios, horse barns, and dairies for several weeks. — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026

To make your own baits, mix 1 tablespoon of borax with 3 tablespoons each of sugar and water. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 June 2026

But be sure to avoid handling things such as gasoline, sunscreen, tobacco, and insect repellent, which will send them scurrying away from even the most tantalizing baits. — Keith Sutton, Outdoor Life, 18 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

Verb

Texas Rigs Big worms, wide-bodied creature baits — anything with substantial mass and water-moving appendages will suffice. — David A. Brown, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026

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