1
as in taunting
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 tempting
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 baiting
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
That’s the kind of trade the Stars are happy to make after getting even in this first-round series, 1-1, by baiting the Wild to get even with them in pre- and post-whistle shenanigans.
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
One of the most well-known is Kitboga, a YouTube personality, scammer-baiting streamer, and the founder of an anti-scam software company.
—Kim Key, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
The replies are mostly AI bots, or rage-baiting stan accounts.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
Never mind foul-baiting and load management, the hottest topics circling the NBA in 2026 are tanking and the opposite – trying too hard to win, allegedly, in the Clippers’ case.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
The city's Bureau of Rodent Control has around 20 baiting crews throughout Chicago during peak season, responding to more than 100,000 service requests per year.
—Tara Molina, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Kevin Huerter drew an offensive foul when the Lakers tried to push their luck in transition by baiting James into pushing his arm into Huerter’s neck.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Start with uncovered cups, then increase difficulty by baiting only some cups to encourage scent work.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
Diners aren’t baiting first-bite TikTok reaction shots.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
That’s the kind of trade the Stars are happy to make after getting even in this first-round series, 1-1, by baiting the Wild to get even with them in pre- and post-whistle shenanigans.
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
One of the most well-known is Kitboga, a YouTube personality, scammer-baiting streamer, and the founder of an anti-scam software company.
—Kim Key, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
The replies are mostly AI bots, or rage-baiting stan accounts.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
Never mind foul-baiting and load management, the hottest topics circling the NBA in 2026 are tanking and the opposite – trying too hard to win, allegedly, in the Clippers’ case.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
The city's Bureau of Rodent Control has around 20 baiting crews throughout Chicago during peak season, responding to more than 100,000 service requests per year.
—Tara Molina, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Kevin Huerter drew an offensive foul when the Lakers tried to push their luck in transition by baiting James into pushing his arm into Huerter’s neck.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Start with uncovered cups, then increase difficulty by baiting only some cups to encourage scent work.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baiting
Adjective
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To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Myrsiades said Hennessey spotted a white Mercedes SUV linked to a suspect accused of making bomb threats and taunting local law enforcement agencies.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Then, guards who worked for the contractor Critical Response Strategies began taunting detainees, threatening to enter the cage where immigrants were held.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But if the promise of these sights wasn’t tempting enough, Airbnb has a number of jaw-dropping listings that allow travelers to enjoy the country with a more immersive experience—like the opulent Villa Il Cigno, located directly on the shores of Lake Como.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
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Too rich for my blood, but tempting nonetheless.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Morgan Rogers fired wide from the ensuing chance, yet the sweeping move — teasing passes before going through the gears as play progressed upfield — was what Villa often desire, but can sometime lack.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The footage, revealed on April 22, adopts a dark and scary tone, teasing a body horror film that will be a total departure from anything fans have seen from the DC Universe so far.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Big East has steadied its membership, since the conference’s revival, by adding Butler, Creighton and Xavier, luring UConn back to its rightful home, winning four men’s basketball national championships, four women’s hoops titles and now operating out of the Empire State Building.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
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But Mizrachi sees potential for Pensacola in some of the same forces that are luring Jews to Boca and Aventure — including unhappiness among New Yorkers with the city’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani.—
Larry Luxner,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For power users, this sort of thing can’t help but read as needling, even petty platform quirks.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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In cases of significant thinning, Small recommends procedures like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or micro-needling.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nate plays his older neighbors like a fiddle, seducing them with his beauty, money, and youth.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
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On the left, he’s heralded as the only voice capable of seducing young men disaffected by party politics.—
Abigail Sylvor Greenberg,
Vanity Fair,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Reuters reported that BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who hosted the dinner of some 200 people as co-chair of the World Economic Forum, ended the dinner after the heckling incident — before dessert was served.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
22 Jan. 2026
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Vice President Vance appeared on FOX News Channel’s The Ingraham Angle hours after the heckling incident, telling the host about visiting with the national guardsmen and discussing recent changes to the city, while briefly mentioning the protesters.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baiting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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