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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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

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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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baits
  1. taunts
  2. lures
  3. teases
  4. tempts
  5. seduces
Verb
  • On the bridge, Sam taunts his brother before getting sucked out a hole in the observation window, graphically.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026
  • Cox will play the Ripper — real name Dom Frant — who no longer kills but still taunts survivors of his past crimes.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of taunts
Verb
  • Thus, Dionysus drives Pentheus insane, lures him to the mountains, and the women of Thebes, in a state of Dionysian frenzy and led by Agave herself, tear Pentheus apart.
    — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 31 July 2026
  • Final Thoughts on How to Fish a Popper A popper is one of the most versatile topwater lures out there.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2026
Definition of lures
Verb
  • Watch the trailer, which teases an intergalactic and perhaps inter-dimensional mission.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 July 2026
  • Mike Flanagan teases his approach to The Mist, likening it to his Carrie TV series.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
Definition of teases
Verb
  • The slight dogleg to the right tempts players to take an aggressive line off the tee, but an expansive waste bunker guards the shortcut and punishes any miscalculation.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Plus, there’s something about being part of the process of buying (or growing) the ingredients and preparing a recipe that piques the curiosity of even the pickiest eater and tempts them to take a bite.
    — Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 25 July 2026
Definition of tempts
Verb
  • In the video, then-23-year-old Gugino plays a young woman who, after her rock star boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend, seduces an artist painting her portrait.
    — Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
  • With its winning trifecta of sandy beaches, boutique hotels, and unpretentious tavernas, the Greek island of Milos seduces couples, water lovers, and gastronomes alike.
    — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
Definition of seduces

Browse Nearby Words

baiting
baits
bake
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Cite this Entry

“Baits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baits. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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