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

Last week, a Chinese court sentenced a municipal official in Nanjing to death for accepting bribes worth a staggering $325 million, one of the biggest hauls ever. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 14 July 2026

Then, in 2016, Correia used his position as mayor to solicit bribes from and extort prospective marijuana businesses seeking to operate in the city. — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 July 2026

Yang Youlin also was convicted of embezzlement, offering bribes, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of power and money laundering in one of the most dramatic corruption cases in recent years in terms of the sheer scale of the bribes involved. — ABC News, 6 July 2026

To conceal the scheme and hide the bribes, prosecutors say, Zhu entered into a sham retainer agreement with Carone’s younger brother, Anthony Carone, 54, who is alleged to have laundered the payments through his law firm. — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 2 July 2026

At first glance, neither player seemed to be vulnerable to bribes from gamblers. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Beasley, for his part, allegedly received bribes to pay off his debts. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2026

According to prosecutors, Eidleh deposited more than $5 million in fraud proceeds, kickbacks and bribes into accounts associated with shell companies in an effort to conceal the source of the money. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

Abdikerm Eidleh Investigators allege Eidleh personally collected $5 million in bribes and kickbacks after instructing restaurants and catering businesses to inflate receipts submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education for reimbursement. — Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 26 June 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