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

Azevedo was in the car at the restaurant when the alleged payment was paid, prosecutors said, and he was later told by Andy Duong that the article wouldn’t be published as a result of the bribe. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

Security analysts speculate that many are willing to talk about their bribes to politicians, in hopes of reducing their sentences. — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Verb

The Nazis ordered the case closed after six months, and a local official was allegedly bribed to record his death as an accident to ensure Sindelar would have a state funeral. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

Andrew openly discussed bribing law-enforcement officials in War Room chats, and bragged on social media about his connections. — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026