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
Relevance
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.
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Recent Examples of bribe
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
In January, federal prosecutors accused 39 college-basketball players across 17 Division I teams of taking bribes from gamblers to underperform.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
John Herzog, a contractor for an unnamed wine supplier, pleaded guilty last year to bribing Briones and buyers from other retail chains with items such as a $2,000 exercise bike.
—Aldo Toledo, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bribe
Noun
The city has been in public turmoil in recent years, with accusations thrown around about bribes, special favors and abuses of power.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
In January, federal prosecutors accused 39 college-basketball players across 17 Division I teams of taking bribes from gamblers to underperform.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Erny, who owned at least eight properties in Baltimore, bribed Gillespie to remove or delay unpaid citations, tax obligations, and water obligations, court records show.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
John Herzog, a contractor for an unnamed wine supplier, pleaded guilty last year to bribing Briones and buyers from other retail chains with items such as a $2,000 exercise bike.
—Aldo Toledo, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bribe
Noun
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This is not an indictment of individuals but of incentives built into a system structured to protect bureaucracy while classrooms absorb the pressure.—
Daniel L Gordon,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
This investment would be best paired with incentives to companies to offer greater part-time and flexible work options.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The pair are chaos agents who, in conferring the benefit of sudden wealth, lure the recipients into corruption.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Court documents show the suspects allegedly lured a private driver, who was hired by Arnold, and his two associates to an apartment in Tampa.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Coal is a short-term fix, experts say, while renewables are the long-term solution.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
-
But ostensibly obvious fixes like individualized artist profiles and two-factor authentication are complicated by the variety of distribution services available.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Going to a local bike shop instead of buying online can help, enabling riders to ask questions, take a test ride and learn what’s legal and what isn’t.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Whoever sold oil futures and bought stock futures had made a lot of money in a short time.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Wang, however, projects each of these choice from deep within, crafting a character who’s both uncomfortable with his reactions to people, emotions and external stimuli, but is, at this point in his life, also unfortunately used to his discomforts, and begrudgingly accepts them.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
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In 2022, the economy was still rebounding strongly from COVID, with the vestiges of a big fiscal stimulus at its back.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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Tommy disburses stuffings and sauces to hungry locals as the GIs seduced their grandmothers with Camels and nylon stockings.—
Dominic Green,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The reason for that association could simply be that the people eating these low-variety diets have more self-discipline or motivation to lose weight, per the researchers.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
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Baker argued that the DA’s office and Rosen’s campaign are legally separate, denied any political motivation in the prosecution, and noted that campaign donation records are public — adding that the office had already turned over emails between a senior prosecutor and the campaign manager.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While high prices at the grocery store might entice would-be farmers to start herds, rising input costs and farmland decimated by drought have made entering the profession nearly impossible.—
Anthony Pahnke,
Boston Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
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For those in pursuit of historical sites, its ancient ruins and museums lined with artifacts should entice.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribe. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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