bait

Fetched 2026-10-28 (live).

Datamuse reports no synonyms or antonyms for this word.

Noun

1. Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
   • attach bait to a hook
   • catch a few using bait
2. Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
3. Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.
   • clickbait
   • ragebait
   • engagement bait
   • Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.
   • queerbait
   • sequel bait
   • Netflix bait
   • somno bait
   • snuff bait
4. A post intended to elicit a, usually strong or negative, reaction from others.
   • Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.
5. Something that lures or entices a specified group.
   • queerbait
   • sequel bait
   • Netflix bait
6. Someone that attracts or entices a specified sex act being done to them.
   • somno bait
   • snuff bait
7. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment. A packed lunch, especially for a miner or other manual labourer. A small meal taken mid-morning while farming. A light or hasty luncheon.
8. A packed lunch, especially for a miner or other manual labourer.
9. A small meal taken mid-morning while farming.
10. A light or hasty luncheon.

Verb

1. To attract with bait; to entice.
2. To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.
3. To lay baits in an environment to control pest species.
4. To target a pest species by laying baits.

Verb

1. To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
   • to bait a bear with dogs
   • to bait a bull
2. To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
3. To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
4. Of a horse or other animal: to take food, especially during a journey.
5. (of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.

Verb

1. To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.

Adjective

1. Obvious; blatant.
2. Well-known; famous; renowned.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wiktionary) · cached copy, not a rewrite.