bribe 1 of 2

noun

ˈbrīb How to pronounce bribe (audio)
Definition of bribenext
as in incentive
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision that judge refused a huge bribe to dismiss the charges against the wealthy defendant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bribe

2 of 2

verb

as in to lure
to influence someone with a bribe meat inspectors were bribed, and the contaminated beef was sold to the public

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bribe
Noun
Although many doctors do their best under the circumstances, unlivable public salaries have made bribe-taking increasingly common. — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026 Malone was arrested and charged with accepting more than $180,000 in bribes from another homelessness-aid nonprofit. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, LeVota denied the allegations but identified Legislator DaRon McGee as the candidate that federal prosecutors are accusing LeVota of bribing. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026 Finally, given that the Supreme Court’s determination that bribe and gratuity have different definitions under the law, that ruling should, in turn, dismiss the interfering with the IRS charge. — Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bribe
  1. incentive
  2. lure
  3. fix
  4. buy
  5. stimulus
  6. seduce
  7. motivation
  8. entice
Noun
  • Give Jimbo a three-year deal at $1 million annually and load it with incentives.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The incentive structure rewarded those who pushed hardest against the limits.
    — Jessica Vitiritti, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Both airlines, which merged in 2024 but operate as distinct brands, are also working on opening airport lounges to lure customers willing to shell out for luxury travel.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Northern team fans are lamenting the advantages these states hold for climate and taxes that have lured top players in recent years.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of lure
Noun
  • Schumer preaches affordability in Dem midterm pitch while sabotaging GOP fixes.
    — , FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • At almost any hour, someone is settling in for a caffeine fix, a glass of wine, or one more dirty martini.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of fix
Verb
  • The Stop Insider Trading Act, meanwhile, bans lawmakers and their spouses from buying stocks.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Areas at high risk of flooding and where few people are insured tend to be poorer, experts said, as are areas where FEMA's flood maps don't properly convey the severity of the risk or mandate that enough people buy coverage.
    — MICHAEL PHILLIS, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of buy
Noun
  • Consequently, the resulting economic stimulus, inflationary pressure, and intense competition for capital could propel the 10 year US Treasury yield toward a high of 6% before next January.
    — , CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Scientists are beginning to treat gravity almost like a drug, varying its strength, duration, and frequency on the human body to learn what dose might keep astronauts healthy and whether the same stimulus could help rehabilitate patients on Earth.
    — Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • Artificial plays like a modern-day parable in which the trickster god seduces the innocent.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Diaz centers music as the emotional vehicle that provides a philosophical structure for the character tropes and in turn psychologically seduces the audience to internalize certain ideas of social dynamics.
    — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of seduce
Noun
  • Blank bulletin board for Hurley Hurley likes to point at preseason rankings and award projections for motivation leading up to and throughout the season.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
  • So perhaps Kelce had extra motivation to work out in the offseason, Spruill said.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of motivation
Verb
  • Anyone with a console can watch it, which enticed the comedian.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Every book wants to be the one that provides your betting options, and the welcome offer is the way to entice you to use their app.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of entice

Browse Nearby Words

bribable
bribe
bribed
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Cite this Entry

“Bribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribe. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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