bait 1 of 2

noun

Definition of baitnext
1
as in lure
something used to attract animals to a hook or into a trap cheese is the traditional bait for trapping mice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temptation
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bait

2 of 2

verb

ˈbāt How to pronounce bait (audio)
1
as in to taunt
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 to lure
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bait distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of bait are badger, chivy, heckle, hector, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When can badger be used instead of bait?

Although the words badger and bait have much in common, badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When would chivy be a good substitute for bait?

While the synonyms chivy and bait are close in meaning, chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is it sensible to use heckle instead of bait?

The words heckle and bait are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

When could hector be used to replace bait?

The words hector and bait can be used in similar contexts, but hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

Where would hound be a reasonable alternative to bait?

The meanings of hound and bait largely overlap; however, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

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 bait
Noun
As bait, the researchers created a fake startup, Ballena Azul, which pretended to focus on decentralized finance for large holders of cryptocurrency, which North Koreans have been known to target to fund the country’s regime. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026 Blumstien said one marmot learned how to turn over the trap and nab the bait inside without getting caught, then her kids followed her lead. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Garrett Nussmeier On the field, Garrett Nussmeier tries to bait defensive backs with play action and pump fakes. — Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 When baiting large animals was outlawed in the 1800s, people turned instead to fighting their dogs against each other. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait
  1. lure
  2. temptation
  3. taunt
  4. tempt
  5. trap
  6. tease
  7. seduce
  8. hook
Noun
  • The Caribbean is a region almost purpose-built for cruising—closely set islands that offer immense diversity in culture and history, each with their own siren lure.
    — Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The city’s 3-to-1 imbalance of jobs to housing is one of the biggest in the country and a lure for builders, said apartment developer Chris Tourtellotte.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of lure
Noun
  • Crucially, fostering trust involves delivering candid feedback with care, avoiding the temptation to soften hard truths for peace.
    — Alfonso Cahero, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • For road trips, having favorite snacks and drinks on hand is key to avoiding temptation, Thomas says.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of temptation
Verb
  • His gruff mechanic Cooter Davenport is introduced as a hell-raising, uncouth wild man, constantly taunting the authorities and flouting convention.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The woman is then shown on the ground as the person behind the camera continues to taunt her and appears to strike her again.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of taunt
Verb
  • If the thermostat is working properly but the air conditioner is struggling, don’t be tempted to turn down the temperature even more.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Fast capital can create a false sense of security, tempting companies to take on massive contracts before their core production processes or management structures have matured enough to handle that scale.
    — Chris Hale, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of tempt
Noun
  • The trap is that the most tempting move an owner could make with this data is some form of monetization.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • For them, character not only exists but functions as a compound, a cell, a trap.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of trap
Verb
  • The duo took to the stage during the event and addressed the crowd in character to tease the plot of the upcoming sequel, per USA Today.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The film also stars Sadie Sink, who attended Disney’s D23 fan celebration Friday as the studio teased its X-Men plans.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of tease
Verb
  • And to seduce Hannah… Every girl should get to seduce Hannah Einbinder.
    — Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Nevertheless, don’t be seduced by someone else (or even yourself), because things are not clear today.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of seduce
Noun
  • Martins, who knocked Makhachev out with a flash right hook in the first round, has won just one fight since then.
    — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Over-the-door organizers and hooks can store laundry bags and hangers without eating into floor space.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of hook

Phrases Containing bait

Browse Nearby Words

bairns
bait
bait and switch
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Cite this Entry

“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bait. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bait

Nglish: Translation of bait for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bait

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