Synonyms for

Bait

Verb / beɪt / Another word for bait — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Bait means food or other items that are used to lure fish or animals into a trap or to catch them.

Synonyms & similar words

twit sweetener tantalise hook ride decoy tease rag rally comeon cod razz taunt tantalize lure lure tempt attract enticement decoy trap snare enticement hook seducement allurement inducement come-on bribe persuasion incentive inducement provoke irritate

Synonyms by register

Formal

lure enticement temptation decoy

Informal

come-on trap hook snare

Literary

allure enchantment temptation

Antonyms

deterrent discouragement repellent turn-off deterrent discouragement

Common collocations

  • bait and switch
  • fishing bait
  • live bait
  • bait car
  • bait trap
  • bait the hook
  • spring the bait

Word family

noun bait
verb bait

Usage note

As a verb, 'bait' means to lure or entice. 'Bait and switch' is a common idiom referring to a deceptive marketing practice.

Example sentences

  1. I put some bait on my fishing hook.
  2. He tried to bait his opponent into making a mistake.
  3. The hunter set up a trap with some bait to catch the deer.
  4. John used a piece of cheese as bait to catch the mouse.
  5. The salesperson used a discount as bait to attract customers.

Quotes

  • Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.
  • Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.
  • The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words