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
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
In exchange, the indictment said, the bettors bribed Beasley and his debts to Davis were reduced or eliminated. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 Undercover recordings allegedly captured Owens detailing how public officials could be bribed and how the illicit funds could be laundered through businesses and campaign donations, the outlet reported. — Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 30 June 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
  • In order to convince people to replace solo driving with mass transit, LA Metro is offering cash incentives for people to park at least one of their cars at home and try walking, bike share, carpooling or taking a train or bus.
    — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The move comes nearly two years after the City of Fort Worth approved more than $70 million in incentives to support Phase II redevelopment.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Kehoe and other supporters argued that eliminating the income tax would boost the state’s economy and lure new companies and residents to Missouri.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Charges say the woman's son orchestrated a robbery targeting Goodsell, using another man's phone and vehicle to lure him.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of lure
Noun
  • The fix is not to train users, and the industry will need to ensure that buyers never have to think about networks, tokens or memos if recovery is going to shape how merchants choose payment providers, much as fraud protection did for cards.
    — Shawn Yu, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The project has transformed the Burchardi Church, which was left largely in ruins before money was raised for a new roof and other fixes to make the piece a reality.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of fix
Verb
  • Bitcoin traded at $64,259 on Tuesday, near the level where Saylor was buying in February and calling a million dollar price inevitable.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Armstrong's family bought the home in 1944 after his father had moved them about a dozen times with his job as a government auditor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of buy
Noun
  • The government stimulus, however, threatened to deepen the fiscal challenges faced by Japan, whose public debt stands at more than 200% of gross domestic product.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • And Obama was being seen at the time as being completely irresponsible in pursuing stimulus.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • Still, with more than 40,000 industry jobs lost in the past few years, soundstages and vendor storefronts sitting empty, and lucrative overseas incentives seducing even more production away, things are bleak in town right now.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Sal knows how to properly spark a Zippo, seduce women, shuck oysters, throw a punch, and other Badass Masshole 101 lessons.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of seduce
Noun
  • Essential California sat down with Ben Orbison, FOLAR’s director of strategic communications, and spoke about festival highlights and motivations.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Cross-functional access can then expand gradually, creating new opportunities while maintaining focus and motivation for growth.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of motivation
Verb
  • There could be enough of the Heat’s mid-level exception available to entice Klay Thompson into taking a Mavericks buyout.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The main sticking point is Real Madrid’s failure to offer something that entices both City and the player, whose contract expires at the Etihad on June 30, 2027.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of entice

Browse Nearby Words

bribable
bribe
bribed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribe. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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