Thesaurus results for BRIBES

bribes 1 of 2

noun

plural of bribe

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

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bribes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bribe

as in buys

to influence someone with a bribe meat inspectors were bribed, and the contaminated beef was sold to the public

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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 bribes

Noun

Although Blatter himself was not charged in the investigation, his regime collapsed under the weight of hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes for TV rights and other spoils, and he was soon banned from international football for ethical breaches. —

Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026 Unable to navigate the complex legal hurdles to enter the country legally, these workers often fall prey to gangs who take massive bribes, often exceeding $10,000, to smuggle them into Italy, Corrado said. —

Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 4 June 2026 Part of the rationale to legalize sports gambling was that professional athletes make so much money that they wouldn’t be tempted by bribes. —

Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 Seven top staff members of the state Attorney General's Office send a letter to the agency's human resources director, accusing Paxton of accepting bribes and abusing the power of his office. —

Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 28 May 2026 This represents one major leap in the direction of authoritarianism — the president directly raiding the public offers to enrich cronies, not just via his corrupt business dealings and pseudo-bribes from foreign governments, but straight up getting checks from the public treasury. —

New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026 The charges, built over years by federal investigators, alleged that officials had accepted more than $150 million in bribes in exchange for broadcasting and marketing rights to major soccer tournaments. —

Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026 This represents one major leap in the direction of authoritarianism — the president directly raiding the public coffers to enrich cronies, not just via his corrupt business dealings and pseudo-bribes from foreign governments, but straight up getting checks from the public treasury. —

The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026 Kickbacks and bribes are perhaps the most obvious place to start. —

Meily Perez, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026

Verb

In one of the film’s most madcap and darkly comedic moments, Linda bribes her daughter with the promise of a pet hamster — who turns out to be a biter, desperate to escape its box. —

Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bribes

Noun

These discussions include possible revenue sharing between the data company and village along with tax incentives.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Those changes were designed to reduce incentives for excessive litigation, particularly in insurance claims.

— Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 8 June 2026