Synonyms of bribe

bribe 1 of 2

noun

ˈbrīb 

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

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

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

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bribe

Noun

What readers are saying The comments reflect a divided opinion on the trial of Council Member Trayon White, who is accused of accepting a bribe. — Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Many choose to make use of a corrupt brokerage system, where people with connections in the foreign ministry and other regime appendages facilitate large bribes for new, and sometimes fake, documentation. — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026

Verb

The country’s largest wine and spirits distributor has entered into an agreement with federal prosecutors to resolve allegations that its executives and employees bribed alcohol retailers for favorable placement of certain products. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Lucienne, a mountain girl charmed by Ortiz, eased their passage by bribing the right gendarme. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026