to bait

Examples

• All

• -Are you trying to bait me?

  Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

• I was not going to be baited into a discussion of the Dayclear project.

  Fiction book (1998)

• So I'm going to have to watch him bait your sister and then send her flying," she says.

  Fiction book (1996)

• So what he did was he basically baited him out.

• Because you are trying to bait me with your snobbery.

  EverAfter (1998)

• Come on, when Preacher said what he said, he was baiting me.

  Children of the Corn: Genesis (2011)

• You baited him, now reel him in.

  Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011)

• Lately, the Guard seemed to take considerable delight in baiting and harassing the missionaries.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Clearly, they're baiting us.

  Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021)

• He tried to bait his sister by hiding her favorite toy and then giggling when she searched for it.

Synonyms

T

to tease

vsto bait

245 1.9

To make fun of someone in a way that annoys them

is often harsher, adding real harassment or torment rather than play

P

to provoke

vsto bait

144 3.6

Annoy someone again and again to make them react

also includes teasing or torment beyond just seeking a reaction

T

to taunt

vsto bait

• Offensive

93 5.8

To mock someone again and again to make them angry or upset

can annoy or torment without always aiming to deeply upset

R

to ride

vsto bait

• Offensive

62 7.5

To annoy someone by criticizing them again and again

can be similar but also includes provoking or tormenting beyond nagging

R

to razz

vsto bait

• Informal

5 9.1

To tease someone in a playful or annoying way

is harsher and can move from play into real torment or annoyance

R

to rally

vsto bait

• UK

5 5.2

To tease someone repeatedly in a friendly way

is less gentle and often crosses into deliberate harassment or torment

T

to twit

vsto bait

• Offensive

4 9.8

To tease someone again and again with small mean remarks

may instead use teasing or provocation rather than direct reproach

R

to rag

vsto bait

• Informal

1 7.2

To tease someone repeatedly, either playfully or cruelly

is similar but can focus more on ongoing harassment and torment

T

to tantalize

vsto bait

1 8.2

To tease someone with repeated mean or mocking remarks

covers that teasing but also broader forms of harassment or torment

T

taunting

vsto bait

• Offensive

5.8

Saying things that make fun of someone to upset them

may do the same but also includes milder teasing or torment

Antonyms

C

to comfort

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

C

to console

40 3.9

To comfort someone who feels sad or disappointed

Idioms

F

to fish or cut bait

• Informal

1 8.8

Choose to act now or step aside so someone else can

Phrasal Verbs

C

to cut bait

• Informal

8.8

Stop wasting time and either act now or give up a plan that does not work

Compounds

B

bait and switch

10 6.8

A sales trick that advertises a low price then sells a more expensive item

B

bait casting

• Specialized

1 5.8

A way of fishing using a one-handed rod to cast heavy bait

C

crow-bait

• Archaic

9.9

A very thin weak horse that looks near death

G

ground bait

• Jargon

6.5

Bait you spread on the water or on the bottom to attract fish to a spot

S

shark bait

• Offensive

8.9

A person who others use or treat badly in a competitive place

U

unicorn bait

• Jargon

9.9

An idea or feature that looks exciting but is unlikely to work and aims to attract investors

How Provoking

torment

• NSFW

70 5.6

to bait

35 6.8

to taunt

• Offensive

93 5.8

to tease

245 1.9

to annoy

246 1.0

to bother

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology