baiting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of baitingnext
as in mocking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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baiting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bait
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baiting
  1. teasing
  2. luring
  3. mocking
  4. persuading
  5. enticing
  6. derisive
Verb
  • Seinfeld was clearly teasing, but sure enough, several headlines reported it as gospel with perhaps a mention three paragraphs in that it was intended to be humorous.
    Jenelle Riley, Variety, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae and creator Hwang Dong-hyuk are teasing the third and final season of the Netflix series.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of teasing
Verb
  • The church was notorious for luring in young industry strivers; one of Scott’s good friends had joined.
    Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Underwood, a former grocery store worker, hit the 10-year-old with a cutting board after luring her into his residence, per AP, The Norman Transcript and The Oklahoman.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of luring
Verb
  • Quad’s grievances spill over into her relationship with Heavenly, which ties into Heavenly and Quad mocking Sweet Tea on social media.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Naturally, the Internet lost its mind, and the scene quickly went viral, with viewers mocking and/or sharing their disbelief at Sheridan's dialogue.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of mocking
Verb
  • So instead of scientific breakthroughs, this campaign has relied on persuading millions of people to change basic behaviors.
    Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Baldwin staged the play in Istanbul, recruiting Cherry to compose music for it and persuading male actors to take up drag.
    Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2024
Definition of persuading
Verb
  • Understanding the critical nature of some of these components, the Federal Government has been enticing companies to bring more manufacturing home.
    Steven Dudash, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • This lure dangles just above its gaping jaws, enticing prey close enough to be devoured.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of enticing
Adjective
  • Fans gave up and drew national attention for paying planes to circle the stadium with derisive banners.
    Matt Baker, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Yet Horse Crazy is one of the best American novels about obsession in part because the narrator mostly dislikes Gregory, subjecting this object of lust to the same derisive interior voice that comments on virtually every other aspect of his life.
    Daniel Felsenthal, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024
Definition of derisive
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near baiting

baiters

baiting

baits

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Cite this Entry

“Baiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baiting. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on baiting

Nglish: Translation of baiting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of baiting for Arabic Speakers

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