redbait

[red-beyt]

verb (used without object)

to denounce or deprecate as a political radical, especially to accuse of being communist.

Origin of redbait

1935–40; back formation from redbaiter, redbaiting. See red¹, bait

Related formsred·bait·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018