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

Malone was arrested and charged with accepting more than $180,000 in bribes from another homelessness-aid nonprofit. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Malone was charged in a 21-count indictment accusing her of taking more than $180,000 in bribes and kickbacks from Alexander Soofer, who was the executive director of the nonprofit Abundant Blessings. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, LeVota denied the allegations but identified Legislator DaRon McGee as the candidate that federal prosecutors are accusing LeVota of bribing. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026

Finally, given that the Supreme Court’s determination that bribe and gratuity have different definitions under the law, that ruling should, in turn, dismiss the interfering with the IRS charge. — Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026