as in incentives
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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as in buys
to influence someone with a bribe
meat inspectors were bribed, and the contaminated beef was sold to the public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bribes
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Spagnuolo is very clear about supposed bribes paid by pharmaceutical companies in the context of purchases by Andis, to the tune of 5 to 8 percent, which were funneled directly into the pockets of the Menems and Karina.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The money Pham and others gave Do, which the former supervisor said in his criminal plea deal were bribes, were loans in Pham’s retelling of what happened.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Many of them were caught red-handed accepting bribes and sentenced to prison.
—Daria Kaleniuk, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
According to the Cristosal report, government officials now operates with criminal logic, charging desperate relatives hefty bribes in exchange for access to information, visits, or the improvements in detention conditions.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
They were charged variously with hacking the voicemail accounts of politicians, athletes, and entertainers, and paying bribes to police officers.
—Nick Davies, Air Mail, 30 Aug. 2025
She also is accused of obtaining 80 million won in bribes and valuables from the Unification Church in 2022, in return for her support for the organization.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2024, federal prosecutors charged Menendez with using his influence as a senator to help the government of Qatar with questionable real estate development deals in exchange for lavish gifts and other bribes.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
She was infamously shown stuffing $1,000 in cash bribes into her bra in a photo that was released by the feds.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Spagnuolo is very clear about supposed bribes paid by pharmaceutical companies in the context of purchases by Andis, to the tune of 5 to 8 percent, which were funneled directly into the pockets of the Menems and Karina.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The money Pham and others gave Do, which the former supervisor said in his criminal plea deal were bribes, were loans in Pham’s retelling of what happened.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Many of them were caught red-handed accepting bribes and sentenced to prison.
—Daria Kaleniuk, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
According to the Cristosal report, government officials now operates with criminal logic, charging desperate relatives hefty bribes in exchange for access to information, visits, or the improvements in detention conditions.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
They were charged variously with hacking the voicemail accounts of politicians, athletes, and entertainers, and paying bribes to police officers.
—Nick Davies, Air Mail, 30 Aug. 2025
She also is accused of obtaining 80 million won in bribes and valuables from the Unification Church in 2022, in return for her support for the organization.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2024, federal prosecutors charged Menendez with using his influence as a senator to help the government of Qatar with questionable real estate development deals in exchange for lavish gifts and other bribes.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bribes
Noun
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The projects received millions in state and local tax incentives after promising to create thousands of new jobs.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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The transparency requirements will improve safety across all frontier models, and without it, companies may face incentives to prioritize growth over safety and transparency, Anthropic added.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since leases are a specific transaction where the dealer buys the vehicle, marketing incentives from the OEM may be necessary to address the marketability of slower moving vehicles.—
Hughey Newsome,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Some states limit gun purchases If someone buys two or more handguns at the same time or within five consecutive business days, the ATF requires that firearms licensees report to them with a multiple sales record.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Monthly updates will focus on the emergency fixes, allowing OEMs to concentrate their immediate efforts on what matters most.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Just two weeks from losing county funding, Miami-Dade’s MetroConnect shuttle service was spared in the latest version of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s budget proposal and its set of temporary fixes to cover revenue shortfalls.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Designed in China and fueled by kits sold or rented to threat actors around the world, these attacks are disguised as unpaid toll, undelivered package or motoring offense lures.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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About an hour ferry ride from Milazzo, Vulcano lures visitors with its active volcano, Gran Cratere, and open-air mud baths just steps from the port, where bathers slather on the mineral-rich goodness before rinsing in the sea.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Everything about the scene seduces the viewer into what dining while traveling in the most luxurious fashion could be, and once was.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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In his youth, the blue-eyed Stamp was widely considered one of the most handsome men onscreen, and Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini used that to peculiar effect in Teorema (1968), casting the actor as a nameless and wordless visitor who seduces an entire household.—
Rhett Bartlett,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Absolute power corrupts absolutely.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The structure is illustrated below, with one player positioned on the byline and another level with the penalty area to form a triangle that entices opponents out to defend.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While Cruz is still working to get Democratic sponsors for his bill, the issue has support from across the aisle.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bribes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribes. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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