bait vs scoff

bait and scoff both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
bait	Yes	No	Yes	No
scoff	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, scoff is a hyponym of bait; that is, scoff is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than bait:

Other hyponyms of bait include barrack, flout, gibe, jeer, banter, chaff, jolly, josh, kid.

bait (noun)	scoff (noun)
something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed	showing your contempt by derision
anything that serves as an enticement

bait (verb)	scoff (verb)
harass with persistent criticism or carping	laugh at with contempt and derision
attack with dogs or set dogs upon	treat with contemptuous disregard
lure, entice, or entrap with bait