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1

bribe

play
noun \ˈbrīb\

Simple Definition of bribe

  • : something valuable (such as money) that is given in order to get someone to do something

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of bribe

  1. 1 :  money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust

  2. 2 :  something that serves to induce or influence

See bribe defined for English-language learners

See bribe defined for kids

See words that rhyme with bribe



Examples of bribe in a sentence

  1. I offered the children a bribe for finishing their homework.

  2. <that judge refused a huge bribe to dismiss the charges against the wealthy defendant>



Origin and Etymology of bribe

Middle English, morsel given to a beggar, bribe, from Anglo-French, morsel


First Known Use: 15th century

bribe Synonyms

Synonyms
backhander [British], boodle, cumshaw, fix, sop
Related Words
baksheesh, kickback, payoff; slush fund; incentive, incitement, instigation, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulation, stimulus; boost, encouragement, goad, inducement; allurement, bait, enticement, lure, seduction, temptation, turn-on; flattery, persuasion; decoy, snare, trap

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

2

bribe

verb

Simple Definition of bribe

  • : to try to get someone to do something by giving or promising something valuable (such as money) : to give or offer a bribe to (someone)

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of bribe

bribed

bribing
  1. transitive verb

  2. :  to induce or influence by or as if by bribery

  3. intransitive verb

  4. :  to practice bribery

bribable

play \ˈbrī-bə-bəl\ adjective

bribee

play \ˌbrī-ˈbē\ noun

briber

noun

See bribe defined for English-language learners



Examples of bribe in a sentence

  1. She was arrested for attempting to bribe a judge.

  2. They bribed him to keep quiet about the incident.

  3. We bribed the children with candy.



1528

First Known Use of bribe

1528

bribe Synonyms

Synonyms
buy, corrupt, have, pay off, square, get at, grease the hand of (or grease the palm of), oil the hand of (or oil the palm of)
Related Words
fix, tamper (with); abase, debase, debauch, defile, degrade, demean, deprave, dishonor, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, taint, warp; allure, bait, beguile, entice, lead on, lure, seduce, tempt; motivate, provoke, spur, stimulate; goad, induce; flatter, persuade; snare, trap

BRIBE Defined for Kids

1

bribe

play
noun \ˈbrīb\

Definition of bribe for Students

  1. :  something given or promised to a person in order to influence dishonestly a decision or action



2

bribe

play
verb

Definition of bribe for Students

bribed

bribing

  1. :  to influence or try to influence dishonestly by giving or promising something



Law Dictionary

1

bribe

noun

Legal Definition of bribe

  1. :  a benefit (as money) given, promised, or offered in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust (as an official or witness) — compare kickback



2

bribe

transitive verb

Legal Definition of bribe

bribed

bribing

  1. :  to influence (a person) by giving a bribe



Learn More about bribe

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bribe Spanish Central: Translation of bribe Nglish: Translation of bribe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bribe for Arabic speakers

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Examples: bribe in a sentence