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
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Federal authorities alleged that the couple accepted around $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company in Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico City between 2014 and 2021.
—Connor Greene, Time, 12 Feb. 2026
The former mayor is accused of accepting bribes from Andy Duong and his father, David, in the form of financing for controversial election mailers ahead of the November 2022 election, as well as a lucrative job for Thao’s romantic partner, Andre Jones.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Do was sentenced in June 2025 to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of accepting more than $800,000 in bribes in exchange for diverting $10 million in pandemic relief money, mostly to a nonprofit that employed his daughter.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Police officials at a news conference said the officers had collected personal and private information unlawfully and distributed it to organized crime figures, in some cases for bribes, and that mobsters then carried out shootings and other violent crimes.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Clase allegedly began to request and receive bribes and kickback payments for agreeing to throw the specific pitches in April, according to the indictment.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The leader of the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, which began in South Korea and has spread worldwide, is also on trial over the bribes.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
Adani and several other defendants are accused of having paid Indian government officials more than $250 million in bribes to obtain solar energy supply contracts worth more than $2 billion in profits.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
The former head of the NYPD School Safety division attempted to steer lucrative city contracts to a Florida businessman in exchange for bribes that included cash payments, luxury hotel stays and Broadway tickets, federal officials said Thursday.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Federal authorities alleged that the couple accepted around $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company in Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico City between 2014 and 2021.
—Connor Greene, Time, 12 Feb. 2026
The former mayor is accused of accepting bribes from Andy Duong and his father, David, in the form of financing for controversial election mailers ahead of the November 2022 election, as well as a lucrative job for Thao’s romantic partner, Andre Jones.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Do was sentenced in June 2025 to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of accepting more than $800,000 in bribes in exchange for diverting $10 million in pandemic relief money, mostly to a nonprofit that employed his daughter.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Police officials at a news conference said the officers had collected personal and private information unlawfully and distributed it to organized crime figures, in some cases for bribes, and that mobsters then carried out shootings and other violent crimes.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Clase allegedly began to request and receive bribes and kickback payments for agreeing to throw the specific pitches in April, according to the indictment.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The leader of the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, which began in South Korea and has spread worldwide, is also on trial over the bribes.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
Adani and several other defendants are accused of having paid Indian government officials more than $250 million in bribes to obtain solar energy supply contracts worth more than $2 billion in profits.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 23 Jan. 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
-
The new contract was richer, filled with all sorts of incentives … and also for a very long time.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
To be eligible for the Spirit Awards, a movie's budget cannot exceed $30 million after tax incentives.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Everybody buys groceries, and everyone has felt the increase in costs over the last few years.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The one who buys her full wardrobe after getting there.—
Jessika Hardy,
Refinery29,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Small fixes get delayed, then buyers notice everything at once and price it in.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
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For employers and plan sponsors, that means building benefit strategies around clear data, practical insight, and long-term sustainability rather than short-term fixes.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When Mi-jeong lures Sarah Kim away and tries to kill her, Sarah Kim gets the upper hand.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community.—
Trudy Haywood Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Sensing Scarlet’s resolve to destroy him, Claudius poisons her.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His relationship with his Jewish neighbors, the Brodskys, grows closer as Nazi power corrupts France.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As Jay Jonah Atterbury, one of a handful of new characters on the fourth season of Industry, Kal Penn weaponizes and corrupts the stoner quirks viewers may recognize from his years playing Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar films.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Your starter entices with a spicy-tangy flavor, leading into the classic roasted chicken entree.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
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While Summer most likely has tonnes of toys and a dog bed, there’s something about cardboard boxes that entices pets.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bribes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribes. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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