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
The state attorney general was accused of accepting bribes and abusing his office to help a political donor whom the FBI was investigating. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors accused Smith and at least 26 other named defendants of wagering millions of dollars and paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to players in bribes. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
In the action movie, the cops usually have to bribe the person with access to the surveillance tool with cookies and booze to run a search without a warrant, right? — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026 Men shouted abuse from car windows or tried to bribe him with money, drugs, even girlfriends. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 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
  • The departures concentrated in September 2025, when the administration's incentive programs for resignation and early retirement took effect.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Congress should pass legislation that ensures predictable payments that reflect fair market rates and removes incentives to exploit arbitration while preserving strong protections against surprise bills.
    — Christian Swann, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • For film, the roadmap covers support for luring large-scale location shoots, backing for international co-productions built on Japanese IP and tougher anti-piracy measures.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Bolsonaro made a tough-on-crime approach the cornerstone of his campaign and pledged to bring down food costs while Lula, trying to lure undecided voters, has invested in costly incentives.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of lure
Noun
  • Coach Natalie Nakase, center Kiah Stokes and the Valkyries found a fix, holding Angel Reese and the Dream to their lowest-scoring games of the series in a 67-62 win in Game 4 and a 64-55 win in Game 5.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from obvious fixes like leaking ceilings and sagging floors, the layout, which was chopped up into a warren of tight quarters, needed a full gut to allow the space to breathe and gain more light.
    — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of fix
Verb
  • Customers filed lawsuits alleging Bacelar was buying dogs on the cheap from breeders, then misrepresenting them as rescues and charging high adoption fees, The Times reported.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Concurrent with the new building, the museum bought a painting by Chicago native Irving Petlin and a photograph by Dawoud Bey.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of buy
Noun
  • China’s economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter thanks to the country’s powerful export machine, with domestic consumption still lagging and the authorities showing little interest in fiscal stimulus.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Visual stimuli produced more activity in the superficial layers of the superior colliculus.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • The last crime, a blackmail scheme that involved hiring a prostitute to seduce his sister’s husband, suggests a dubious approach to conflict management.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Will Stewart be seduced into the path of corruption by using Sinestro’s emotionally tainted battery, or steel himself against ill influences and continue to blaze his own trail as Earth's sole protector for the time being?
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of seduce
Noun
  • Saturday’s matchup also gives Liberty motivation to avenge last season’s loss.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Mid-month, an interesting and rare triple conjunction of Mars, Jupiter, and the South Node constellates in Leo, pumping you up with confidence and motivation to go all the way for the gold.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of motivation
Verb
  • The many interactive exhibits that dot the new building’s 200,000 square feet of gallery space are geared to entice and educate people of all ages.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Justin Perez, 28, of Springfield, Massachusetts took a plea deal on Monday in Rockville Superior Court, pleading guilty to charges of risk of injury to a minor and enticing a minor, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of entice

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bribe
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Cite this Entry

“Bribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribe. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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