# rage bait

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rage-bait
Updated: 2026-08-14

## Definition

Online content, like a headline or video, made just to make people angry. The creator hopes that if you feel angry, you will share it or comment on it, which helps it spread.

For teachers: Online content intentionally designed to provoke anger and outrage, thereby increasing user engagement through shares and comments. A compound noun, typically uncountable, with an informal or journalistic register.

## Examples

- That headline is just rage bait to get more clicks.
- Many influencers post obvious rage bait because angry comments still boost a video's visibility in the algorithm.
- The op-ed was less a sincere argument and more a piece of calculated rage bait, intended to polarize readers and drive traffic to the struggling publication.

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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.