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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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

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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
The baits are best used with multiple stations placed throughout the house. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026 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 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
First, Verbruggen baits Joao Pedro, who abandons Olivier Boscagli. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Specialty carp baits and tackle drive a large portion of the European recreational fishing industries sales. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 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
  • Continue reading … -- POLITICS 'BAD LOOK' – Newsom's attack dog taunts Buttigieg over South Carolina visit as 2028 fight heats up.
    — , FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Trump routinely mocks Newsom and refers to the governor using a derogatory nickname, while Newsom taunts the president with frequent social media posts.
    — Darlene Superville, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of taunts
Verb
  • The show lures corporate sponsors to the marketing mecca, where brands hope to convert experience seekers into true believers, eventually disciples.
    — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Scott said of his guidance for production designer Chris Seavers, who was tasked with creating the creepy airport where off-kilter flight attendant Allison Janney lures the film’s heroes to potential doom.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of lures
Verb
  • The trailer also teases additional confrontation between Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, the latter of whom is leaving the series after Season 5.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Trump teases Karoline Leavitt replacement Why is Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House?
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of teases
Verb
  • While Sal tempts Sessa’s Bourdain with drugs, thievery and more bad behavior.
    — Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of tempts
Verb
  • Andie, as research for an article about modern dating, seduces Benjamin and then transforms herself into the girlfriend from hell.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This is not the beautiful creature who seduces Odysseus in the poem.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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