-baiting

1. a combining form used to describe hate speech and other rhetoric or depictions that target a minoritized group in order to denigrate that group or for the purpose of pitting different identity groups against one another:

   gender-baiting;

   queerbaiting;

   race-baiting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -baiting¹

First recorded in 1920–25; from bait ( def ) (in the sense “to worry, torment”) + -ing ¹( def ); modeled after Jew-baiting ( def )

Example Sentences

They knew how to lure dogs into swamps, where they were used as bait for alligators.

From Ozy

Elie calls this pages link bait pages because they easily attract links.

From Search Engine Land

Crab trap success is dependent on using fresh baits, usually fish.

From Popular-Science

When a crab grabs the bait, you can feel the line move and slowly lift the crab toward the surface to be netted.

From Popular-Science

When line tension is released from the trap, it opens in a four-sided pattern, making the bait available to any nearby crab.

From Popular-Science

Open-carry activists are known for baiting cops into on-camera arguments about the Second Amendment and state laws.

From The Daily Beast

Limbaugh makes comments like this because his right-wing fans require a non–stop diet of race-baiting red meat.

From The Daily Beast

When you saw it out in Ferguson, there was a baiting going on.

From The Daily Beast

The Netflix prison dramedy, with its binge-baiting release strategy, is engrossing in every sense of word.

From The Daily Beast

Desperate to stand out, some megachurches are baiting Easter crowds with flat-screen TVs, iPads, and Starbucks gift cards.

From The Daily Beast

The Judge inquired if that was the sole object of the plaintiff, or was it not rather baiting with a sprat to catch a herring?

From Project Gutenberg

The little shrivelled don who had been omniscient about guns joined in the baiting, and displayed himself a venomous creature.

From Project Gutenberg

At Bamberg why should a Prussian Majesty linger, except for picturesque or for mere baiting purposes?

From Project Gutenberg

He seemed to be baiting his hook for another cast in the river.

From Project Gutenberg

Her blandness was beyond all baiting; she professed she could be as still as a mouse.

From Project Gutenberg