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
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Recent Examples of baits
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 24 May 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
Fresh runs of shallow crappies aren’t selective, though heavy fishing pressure justifies smaller baits, particularly natural-colored baits in plain black and brown hues.
—Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
Another such method is setting out toxic baits—strychnine is commonly used for this purpose.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
Anglers can also chum with a variety of frozen baits.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
Keep the baits out of reach of kids and pets.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 24 May 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
Fresh runs of shallow crappies aren’t selective, though heavy fishing pressure justifies smaller baits, particularly natural-colored baits in plain black and brown hues.
—Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
Another such method is setting out toxic baits—strychnine is commonly used for this purpose.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
Anglers can also chum with a variety of frozen baits.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 10 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
-
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.—
,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Owen is a serial killer who, much like Zodiac, taunts the police with phone calls threatening the murder of innocent citizens.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The chain also lures customers with free t-shirts and drinks at new locations, limited-time giveaways and discounts for first responders.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
-
The film lures us into a mystery that’s a knowing gloss on all those old detective movies, as Joe is hired by Sharon Cobbs (Vicky Krieps), a platinum-blonde femme fatale whose older tycoon husband was just murdered.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Season one teases the turmoil ahead, after Dean finds out that Allie has slept with his very own (heated) rival, Hunter (Charlie Evans).—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
-
The preview also teases the roles of the supporting cast.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Frida is the most significant secondary figure — the person who tempts Gabrielle away from her trajectory, making her pause and ponder roads not taken.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
Boxing tempts him, the business world motivates him and his role as a promoter excites him.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Baits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baits. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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