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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
Rotterdam’s Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has become central to a local corruption scandal, due to the conduct of civil servants who allegedly accepted bribes to grant exorbitant construction contracts for public work. — News Desk, Artforum, 31 Aug. 2026 The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 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
  • States got creative with all sorts of financial incentives, from million-dollar prizes to college scholarships.
    — Adam Zimmerman, STAT, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The suspension has already squeezed Indian exporters, as Dubai has long served as a key commercial hub for India's trade with Iran, giving India a direct economic incentive.
    — Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Irving played for the Cavs for six seasons, helping lure LeBron James back to The Land and win the 2016 NBA championship.
    — Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The 14-page document sets up a competition that may look something like a major corporate relocation, with states pitching packages of free land, university partnerships, state funding, and more to lure the federal government to choose their state.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of lure
Noun
  • Not every water problem calls for the same fix, and a shower head filter handles some issues far better than others.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2026
  • His offensive line needs a fix, as does the Packers’ performance in the second halves of games.
    — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of fix
Verb
  • Though described as a sale, the transaction is financed through a mechanism known as foreign military financing, in which the United States provides the money that Israel uses to buy the weapons.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The bottles are now rationed as well, as each customer can only buy two boxes per week per membership.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of buy
Noun
  • Analysts, however, expect that Beijing is unlikely to ramp up stimulus meaningfully as long as export growth remains strong enough to power the economy to land within the target range.
    — Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • China reported downbeat consumption and investment figures, bolstering economists’ calls for fiscal stimulus to drive growth in the world’s second-biggest economy.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • Adva Lavie, an OnlyFans model, already is facing criminal charges in Los Angeles County for allegedly seducing and stealing from rich men.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Many have taken up such invitations, seduced by the island’s stress-free, go-slow rhythm.
    — Michelle Jana Chan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of seduce
Noun
  • In both films, acting is the central source of the characters’ motivations.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Much is left unstated, requiring the reader to decipher character motivations.
    — Anna Mebel, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of motivation
Verb
  • While Bryan the Medical Courier may not be a marquee attraction, Abrams plays his bumbling so hilariously yet relatably that some kids may be enticed.
    — Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Once inside the warehouse, shoppers tend to linger, enticed by a potent cocktail of comforting routine, retail adrenaline and cheap eats.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 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 18 Sep. 2026.

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