taking the bait

ADJECTIVE

gullible

Synonyms

STRONGEST

foolish unsophisticated unsuspecting wide-eyed

WEAK

being a sucker believing biting credulous easily taken in easy mark falling hook line and sinker green innocent kidding oneself mark silly simple sucker susceptible swallowing whole taken in trustful tumbling for unskeptical

Antonyms

WEAK

astute discerning knowledgeable perceptive suspicious unbelieving untrusting wise

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.

But we could do a little better at not taking the bait.

From Salon • Aug. 25, 2023

And if locking people up more aggressively is a policymaker’s proposal, ask them follow-up questions before taking the bait.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2022

Instead of taking offense at the distance that Youngkin kept from him, instead of taking the bait when journalists pointed that out, he professed to be unbothered.

From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2021

It’s probably time for both sides to stop taking the bait.

From Slate • Jun. 21, 2019

Since Benji didn’t seem to be taking the bait, Aidan turned his attacks on Felix.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

taking the bait

Example Sentences

Related Words