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
Beasley, for his part, allegedly received bribes to pay off his debts. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2026 Prosecutors allege Eidleh, along with other members of the scheme, solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from individuals and companies seeking approval to operate fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program sites. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 27 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
  • Nearly a year after the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax incentive for new electric vehicles, California is stepping in to try to motivate buyers to go electric.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The attack shocked Monaco, a coastal playground for the rich and famous known for its tax-friendly incentives, royal family and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • The theory is that the deluge, which broke January daily rainfall records for Sydney, flushed sewage and other waste into the nearby coastal waters, attracting baitfish, which in turn lured sharks closer to shore.
    — Sam Nichols, Scientific American, 8 July 2026
  • To lure the Panthers to Rock Hill, the city had agreed to give up its full share of fee revenue for that incentive deal.
    — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
Definition of lure
Noun
  • Compression socks are a simple fix to improve circulation and to keep your lower extremities feeling energized.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • Your adaptable mind spots small fixes quickly, while patience keeps family feelings warm as changes unfold.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
Definition of fix
Verb
  • This pursuit of inner peace, whether through vacations or symbolic purchases, may reflect a generation trying to buy calm in a country where certainty is itself a luxury.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • La Scuola del Cuoio carries on Florence’s historic leather-making tradition and is the perfect place to buy a high-quality artisan bag.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Definition of buy
Noun
  • The export and manufacturing-led economic resilience is expected to reinforce Beijing’s reluctance to roll out stimulus to revive tepid consumer demand.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 July 2026
  • In Vibe Science studies, the autonomic nervous system shifts toward parasympathetic activation as the brain entrains to the stimulus, producing lower arousal and readiness for sleep and recovery.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 July 2026
  • The writer thinks that the person seducing the main character is just some flotsam, hardly worth a second look.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2026
Definition of seduce
Noun
  • Teams Like Norway Are Trying Re-Create Home Conditions Of course, good nutrition isn’t the only motivation behind what Norway and other teams may be doing.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • For years, Governor Ron DeSantis has fought the College Board, the group that administers the AP test, over how its standardized tests portray many things, including race and gender but also the motivations of the Founding Fathers.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Definition of motivation
Verb
  • The play, which won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize this year, entices on the page despite seeming overstuffed and curiously decentralized.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Despite rising costs, a number of properties throughout the country are keeping prices affordable to entice thrill-seekers.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 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 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bribe for Spanish Speakers

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