What is the opposite of bait?

What is the opposite of bait? Opposite of bait depends on meaning. As noun meaning lure to attract, opposite could be repellent, deterrent, or discouragement, something that drives away rather than attracts. If bait means attraction, opposite is repellent that pushes away. If bait as verb meaning to lure, opposite could be to repel, deter, or discourage. In fishing context, opposite of bait might be empty hook without attraction. In figurative sense of provoking, opposite of baiting someone could be calming, soothing, or reassuring. In slang where bait means obvious, opposite might be subtle or inconspicuous. So opposite of bait is repellent or deterrent when bait is lure, and opposite of baiting is deterring or discouraging when action is luring. Generally, bait attracts, opposite repels, so deterrent is conceptual opposite.