Synonyms of 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incentives
• fixes
• motivations
• backhanders
• sops
• inducements
• payoffs
• encouragements
• lures
• temptations
• kickbacks
• boodles
• boosts
• persuasions
• stimuli
• seductions
• baits
• flatteries
• cumshaws
• stimulations
• slush funds
• enticements
• incitements
• provocations
• spurs
• goads
• instigations
• traps
• allurements
• baksheeshs
• snares
• decoys
• turn-ons

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buys
• lures
• seduces
• poisons
• corrupts
• entices
• has
• persuades
• squares
• tempts
• pays off
• provokes
• gets at
• prostitutes
• debauches
• oils the hand of
• motivates
• induces
• baits
• spurs
• depraves
• perverts
• greases the hand of
• traps
• taints
• leads on
• abases
• subverts
• tampers (with)
• dishonors
• debases
• profanes
• demeans
• goads
• allures
• defiles
• warps
• fixes
• degrades
• stimulates
• beguiles
• snares
• flatters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bribes

Noun

Prosecutors said Santana was paid thousands in bribes for smuggling contraband into the facility between May 2024 and June 2025. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

But the judge also noted Krneta’s dual role in facilitating the corruption of Tobolski, both paying bribes and collecting extortion payments from other contractors on the then-mayor’s behalf. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Other businesses in economic sectors such as health, infrastructure and automobiles were forced to pay bribes and fees to companies linked to Khamenei and his family to continue to operate. — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Federal prosecutors have long claimed that Thao accepted bribes from Andy Duong and his father, David, including political favors and $95,000 toward a $300,000 no-show job for Jones. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

Security analysts speculate that many are willing to talk about their bribes to politicians, in hopes of reducing their sentences. — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office on Thursday defended its decision to sue Kansas City over a contracting program using a plaintiff who had pleaded guilty to paying bribes for contracts years ago. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Prior to the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were appointed by state legislatures, in many cases with the help of hefty bribes, rather than elected. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026

Eight Chicago White Sox players were banned for life from Major League Baseball after being accused of taking bribes to lose the 1919 World Series. — USA Today, 21 July 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