# baiting

/ˈbeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈeɪtɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/baiting
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the act of trying to make someone angry or upset on purpose, often by teasing them or saying something mean. It is also used to describe putting food on a hook to catch a fish.

For teachers: the deliberate provocation of a person or animal to elicit an angry or aggressive response. In digital contexts, refers to the practice of posting inflammatory content to lure users into a heated argument.

## Examples

- He ignored the baiting and stayed calm.
- The politician's speech was criticized for its obvious baiting of the opposition to distract from the main policy issues.
- Psychologists suggest that chronic baiting in online forums often stems from a desire for social dominance rather than a genuine interest in debating the topic at hand.

## Usage notes

- Often appears in the compound 'click-baiting' or as a gerund describing a specific social behavior.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.