Definitions

bait and switch

[beyt-n-swich] / ˈbeɪt nˈswɪtʃ /

NOUN

collusion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

complicity conspiracy deceit scam

STRONG

bunco cahoots connivance craft dodge flimflam fraudulence graft guilt guiltiness intrigue plot racket scheme skunk sting trick whitewash

WEAK

bill of goods con game diddling double-cross fast shuffle flam fraudulent artifice shell game

Antonyms

STRONG

honesty

NOUN

con game

Synonyms

WEAK

Ponzi boiler room bunco game bunko con con job confidence trick flimflam hustle racket ripoff shell game skin game sting swindle

NOUN

confidence game

Synonyms

WEAK

Ponzi boiler room bunco game bunko con con game confidence trick flimflam hustle racket ripoff shell game skin game sting swindle

NOUN

trickery

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chicanery deceit dishonesty razzle-dazzle scam shell game stunt

STRONG

cheat cheating chicane con dodge double-dealing dupery flimflam fraud guile hoax imposture pretense quackery shenanigans sting

WEAK

double cross fast shuffle fourberie funny business sharp practice snow job swindling underhandedness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frankness honesty openness truthfulness

STRONG

reality truth

VERB

misinform

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deceive misguide mislead

STRONG

lie misdirect misstate pervert prevaricate signify

WEAK

bait-and-switch cover up disinform double-talk doublespeak lead astray mousetrap put on put on an act put on false front put up a smokescreen string along wrong steer

Antonyms

STRONG

straighten

WEAK

inform tell all

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Popular chatbots represent a bait and switch, promising connection while farming our attention and claiming to help productivity while eroding meaningful work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

But Mr Navarra said introducing fees for a service that had previously been free, and users had been encouraged to use as such, may feel like a "bait and switch" for some.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2025

In “The Last of Us: Part II,” there’s a bait and switch.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2025

It’s a little bit of a bait and switch.

From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2024

But then, in the early 2000s, the financial markets performed this fantastic bait and switch, in two stages.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

bait and switch

Example Sentences

Related Words