as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another
in politics nobody does something for nothing: there's always a quid pro quo involved
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 quid pro quo
That's … a quid pro quo to us, an agreement that looks like has been made between Cutler and Green.
—
Marcelena Spencer, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
The quid pro quo of an end to Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of sanctions remained the endgame.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
In seeking dismissal, the Sansons argue that prosecutors failed to allege any explicit quid pro quo arrangement between David Sanson and the council member.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Sometimes, Epstein’s quid pro quo was explicit In dozens of exchanges where power brokering like this played out, Epstein’s motivations occasionally showed through.
—Chris Quintana, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quid pro quo
Marcelena Spencer, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
The quid pro quo of an end to Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of sanctions remained the endgame.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
In seeking dismissal, the Sansons argue that prosecutors failed to allege any explicit quid pro quo arrangement between David Sanson and the council member.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Sometimes, Epstein’s quid pro quo was explicit In dozens of exchanges where power brokering like this played out, Epstein’s motivations occasionally showed through.
—Chris Quintana, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quid pro quo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quid pro quo
exchange
Noun
-
Harden was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for the much younger (and much smaller) Darius Garland.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
The San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected from Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals after a heated exchange in the paint with Minnesota’s Naz Reid.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quid pro quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quid%20pro%20quo. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
