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
To conceal the scheme and hide the bribes, prosecutors say, Zhu entered into a sham retainer agreement with Carone’s younger brother, Anthony Carone, 54, who is alleged to have laundered the payments through his law firm. — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 2 July 2026 At first glance, neither player seemed to be vulnerable to bribes from gamblers. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 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 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
  • The people who did it anyway The objection says courage doesn't survive the incentives.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • The total value of this incentive is estimated to be $239,192.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Opened as a hotel in 1873, the property has attracted A-listers over the decades, including Alfred Hitchcock, Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, and George Clooney (luring him from his own Como home nearby).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • Over the last decade, China reversed its brain drain, luring thousands of skilled workers back home to help fuel its rise as a technology powerhouse.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of lure
Noun
  • Stretching a grocery budget without giving up your morning caffeine fix or your protein goals is a challenge, and Dollar Tree has quietly become a destination for shoppers trying to do both.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • But will the delivery adjustment, All-Star break intervention and attention to workload fix Ohtani’s knee at least through the postseason?
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of fix
Verb
  • Aethon has agreed to buy back a 25% stake in Adamas, and Aethon managing director Gordon Huddleston will serve as the Adamas CEO, representing Mitsubishi’s interests.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • Under the new agreement, the $14 million debt will be forgiven, and Western Hills will instead buy water based on the community's actual demand.
    — Nina Burns, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of buy
Noun
  • Analysts said the persistence of such underlying weakness also raises the question of whether Chinese officials will turn to more fiscal stimulus to try and boost domestic spending.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The stutter, in this case, provides a sudden stimulus that triggers the ’keeper to commit to going in a certain direction early, which can then be exploited with a shot sent the other way.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • In the video, then-23-year-old Gugino plays a young woman who, after her rock star boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend, seduces an artist painting her portrait.
    — Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
  • With its winning trifecta of sandy beaches, boutique hotels, and unpretentious tavernas, the Greek island of Milos seduces couples, water lovers, and gastronomes alike.
    — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
Definition of seduce
Noun
  • But some also question whether privacy is Google’s primary motivation for pushing back on the EU’s rules.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • In any business, including wine, those two motivations are not mutually exclusive.
    — Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
Definition of motivation
Verb
  • Eventually, the attacker would entice the target to install malware disguised as security software.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
  • The San Francisco Chronicle first confirmed Saronic’s plans, which come after Texas officials approved a $211 million abatement package to entice the company to locate the shipyard in South Texas.
    — Lia Russell July 16, Sacbee.com, 16 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bribe for Spanish Speakers

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