as in switcheroo
US
a selling method in which a customer is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced product but then is encouraged to buy a more expensive one
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Recent Examples of bait and switch
Gloria’s key allies in this bait and switch were Councilmembers Joe LaCava and Sean Elo-Rivera.
—
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
The bait and switch here is multilevel, since the scene’s idyllic vibe is so clearly at odds with Daemon’s many, many insecurities.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2024
The lunar elixir, from the Ugly Delicious section of Fura’s Journal of Future Foods menu highlighting retail-imperfect ingredients, was a sensory bait and switch.
—Adam Erace, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2025
Read: The bait and switch of Trump’s tariffs Perhaps that reality is why some of the major industry unions reacted to Trump’s post with muted support.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait and switch
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
The bait and switch here is multilevel, since the scene’s idyllic vibe is so clearly at odds with Daemon’s many, many insecurities.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2024
The lunar elixir, from the Ugly Delicious section of Fura’s Journal of Future Foods menu highlighting retail-imperfect ingredients, was a sensory bait and switch.
—Adam Erace, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2025
Read: The bait and switch of Trump’s tariffs Perhaps that reality is why some of the major industry unions reacted to Trump’s post with muted support.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bait and switch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait and switch
Noun
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The average user probably won’t realize that all these switcheroo mechanics are happening behind the scenes.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
10 Aug. 2025
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There could be a 180-degree switcheroo that AI suddenly becomes a disappointment and no longer has the aura of greatness.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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The contrast with Electronic Arts’ (EA) dramatic performance turnaround under Andrew Wilson provides strategic leaders a cautionary tale—and a model for what true point-of-inflection leadership looks like.—
George Bradt,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Fresh off four consecutive 3–9 seasons and the dismissal of Troy Taylor, the Cardinals are hoping for a turnaround with the presence of quarterback Ben Gulbranson, a transfer from Oregon State who has enough experience to make a difference this season.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Adding to Target’s woes were its flip-flops on the DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) issue.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
20 Aug. 2025
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Despite my reporting on the freaky shoe beat, my own footwear has stayed largely classic: nude ballet flats, black leather boots, slim flip-flops, and lace-up sneakers are all part of my regular rotation.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ukrainians have felt stunned by the Trump administration's turnabout on Ukraine.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
12 Apr. 2025
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That’s a turnabout for the governor, who had mentioned those communities last year and in other previous statements recognizing the shooting on June 12, 2016.—
Steven Lemongello,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Moscow has persisted on a set of maximalist conditions to cease the devastating war in Ukraine, including the retainment of occupied territories, Kyiv's renunciation of its ambitions to join the NATO alliance and fresh elections in the invaded country.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
13 Aug. 2025
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When the late Pope Francis was elected, a dozen years ago, and famously declined the pomp and perquisites typically associated with the office, among his renunciations was the use of the papal summer residence—a seventeenth-century palazzo in Castel Gandolfo, about fifteen miles south of Rome.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Britain is not the only country pressed into making a volte-face.—
London Business School,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The realities of Putin’s momentum, coupled with Washington’s volte-face, have led to a clear mood shift in Kyiv.—
Daryna Mayer,
NBC News,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Subscriptions like Billie cover this for you without a second thought.—
Sabina Wizemann,
Good Housekeeping,
30 Nov. 2022
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In America, the allure of material comfort is accepted without a second thought.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
20 Nov. 2022
Noun
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Later retractions or corrections are quiet and unnoticed.—
Philip Maymin,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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The governor’s lawyers sent Fox News a letter demanding a formal retraction and an on-air apology from Watters and said that if the network complies, the governor would drop the suit.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bait and switch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait%20and%20switch. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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