BAIT Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bait 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bait next

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bait

2 of 2

verb

ˈbāt

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

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

Examples 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

The show has more than 190 exhibitors — including 30 new ones this year — showing fish houses and equipment such as augers, underwater cameras, shelter lights, float suits, heaters, digital fish finders as well as rods and reels, tackle and plastic bait among other things. —

Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 13 Nov. 2024 Be warned that the hook will be just as convincing as the bait in most cases, sometimes complete with 2FA-bypass methodologies built into the attack. —

Davey Winder, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Verb

Emiliano was like a patient older brother, baiting a kid-sized reel for the stocked pond and showing our junior angler how to reel in (and toss back) his slippery catch. —

Carley Thornell, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024 Kenneth Curtis, 75, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors including baiting bears, illegally hunting wildlife with bait and failing to wear daylight fluorescent orange while hunting, state officials said. —

Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bait

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bait

Noun

The thrill of getting something for free, like a dozen doughnuts, easily overshadows the lure of a discount.

Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
These additives, along with high levels of sugar, salt and fat, help create the overwhelming lure of ultraprocessed foods.

Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024