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
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
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
New for 2025 at Bass Pro Shops is BioBait—lures made from a revolutionary formula that breaks down faster than traditional plastic baits.
—Ally Jaksen, Outside, 17 Nov. 2025
Keep baits out of reach of kids and pets.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
At the emergency vet, Scout had normal vitals, and the professional at first thought that the dog was suffering from only an upset stomach caused by the baits.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Crank baits are working for shallower bass.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Included are seven types of lure rigs, hooks, soft baits, hard baits, spinners and more.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Another good bet is the spinner baits mentioned for spring fishing.
—Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
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
Nancy adds that her family didn't know that the community was dropping the rabies baits, and didn't receive any mailers about the drop.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Trolling crank baits along points and flats 15 feet deep over deeper water should still work.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Gel baits have quicker results than bait stations, meanwhile bait stations are perfect for ongoing maintenance after the use of gel baits.
—Verb
This Christmas, Nelson’s surprising and fresh remake baits controversy in a couple new ways.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for baits
Verb
-
The two come face-to-face at the end of the episode, during which Callahan taunts Kyle over his wife's murder.—
-
Instead, Pennywise taunts Ingrid before showing her the deadlights and leaving her (mostly) catatonic.—
Verb
-
Jimenez’s movement lures Matthijs de Ligt up the pitch, stretching the right side of United’s defence, with Leny Yoro already in an advanced position to defend Iwobi.—
-
The region’s invigorating multiculturalism also lures visitors with calypso music, island cuisine, and its history as a port of entry to the Caribbean.—
Verb
-
The trailer for the film, released this morning, teases an emotional Matt and Ross Duffer wrapping up the Netflix tentpole show that took 10 years to make.—
-
The trailer teases a sharp, self-aware story about ambition, reinvention, and the business of superhero mythmaking.—
Verb
-
Unwind Along the Coast Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa, tempts with spice tours, rooftop cocktails, and sunset dhow sails.—
-
The device contains, among other things, doorways to other dimensions, including one that tempts Peacemaker with a seemingly storybook version of his broken family.—
Verb
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Cite this Entry
“Baits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baits. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share