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

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

The incidents continued back in Maryland, including outside a Chipotle, where Garcia allegedly tried to bribe the victim to touch himself in exchange for food. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026