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
But again, there was no quid pro quo for this apart from friendship, admiration, and love for the man.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for quid pro quo
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for quid pro quo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quid pro quo
exchange
Noun
-
And outfielder Jesus Sanchez was also an indirect result of those transactions, as he was added in exchange for Will Wagner and Joey Loperfido, who were acquired back then.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
The House bill would allow large-scale developers, such as the Bears, to freeze their property tax assessments for 25 to 45 years in exchange for the PILOT payments.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quid pro quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quid%20pro%20quo. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
