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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bribe
Tom Winter, NBC news, 10 June 2026
Do is serving a five-year sentence in federal prison for accepting more than $550,000 in bribes to steer $10 million in pandemic relief funds to two nonprofits.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
ABC News, 4 June 2026
Two months later, chairman Lord Triesman, who passed away earlier this year, was forced to quit after being recorded speculating about referees being bribed at the World Cup.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bribe
Noun
Rozier is alleged to have played better than anticipated and collected four rebounds during the game, causing his bribe to drop to $70,000, prosecutors said.
—Tom Winter, NBC news, 10 June 2026
Do is serving a five-year sentence in federal prison for accepting more than $550,000 in bribes to steer $10 million in pandemic relief funds to two nonprofits.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Verb
The indictment maintains that, as part of a criminal enterprise, Jones and Dowling carried out a large-scale covert scheme between 2010 and 2021 to bribe state officials and to illegally advance FirstEnergy’s financial interests alongside their own.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
Two months later, chairman Lord Triesman, who passed away earlier this year, was forced to quit after being recorded speculating about referees being bribed at the World Cup.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bribe
Noun
-
Financial incentives offered by the conservation district, in conjunction with federal programs, have enticed farmers in the South Fork of the Republican River near Burlington to end irrigation on an additional 20,000 acres.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
-
As firms scale, governance, incentives, and legacy practices shift focus from customer value and human flourishing.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
More casual apps lure users in with a free experience before asking for cash once they’re invested.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
12 June 2026
-
At the same time, the chance to work with robotics has begun luring younger workers for whom the digital revolution and video games are second nature.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Many have been quick-fix projects that don't require as much funding or take years of planning.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
The California Chamber of Commerce, a business trade group behind the measure, argues the state’s system of approving certain developments is too slow, too muddied up by regulation and too expensive and that the initiative is the fix needed.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
That was actually the settlement of a long-term dispute over arms Iran bought from the US before the Islamic revolution.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
Tickets cost $5 and can be bought on the day of the drawing, but sales times vary by state.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The nation’s collective card balance actually declined through much of 2020 and 2021, as consumers rode out the COVID-19 pandemic and cashed federal stimulus checks.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
-
Prabowo has pushed for heavier stimulus and lower interest rates.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
One class in, and Hannah is thoroughly seduced both by Melanie’s flattery and by her therapyspeak approach to acting, with its talk of truth-telling and connecting to one’s body.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Young women being preyed upon and seduced by rapacious Hollywood producers, stars and studio heads is a tired cliché, but like all clichés, it is based on reality.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Walken brings his signature idiosyncratic charm to his portrayal of Frank, whose motivations make for a fascinating web of contradictions.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
-
While others close to the president see personal motivations at work, the White House is leaning into the diplomatic benefit.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Seen from the other side of the deal, that means that bond issuers must pay higher yields, or rates, for investors to be enticed to buy.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Financial incentives offered by the conservation district, in conjunction with federal programs, have enticed farmers in the South Fork of the Republican River near Burlington to end irrigation on an additional 20,000 acres.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribe. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
