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 surely, this quid pro quo defies all legal paths to citizenship: a truth that, in this climate, would nullify the rights of many Jewish, Italian, Irish, and other families living in our city today.
—
Mark Treyger, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
The mayor, who denies a quid pro quo with Trump, relied heavily on endorsements from DC 37, 32 BJ and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council in his successful 2021 mayoral campaign.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
The following day, the request was made to a federal court, a move that immigrant rights groups and Adams’ critics immediately cast as a quid pro quo.
—Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Trump could advance the process by making a simple but significant quid pro quo that would open the door to direct high-level diplomacy: temporarily suspending maximum pressure sanctions in exchange for Iran suspending its uranium enrichment for the same period of time.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quid pro quo
Mark Treyger, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
The mayor, who denies a quid pro quo with Trump, relied heavily on endorsements from DC 37, 32 BJ and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council in his successful 2021 mayoral campaign.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
The following day, the request was made to a federal court, a move that immigrant rights groups and Adams’ critics immediately cast as a quid pro quo.
—Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Trump could advance the process by making a simple but significant quid pro quo that would open the door to direct high-level diplomacy: temporarily suspending maximum pressure sanctions in exchange for Iran suspending its uranium enrichment for the same period of time.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quid pro quo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quid pro quo
exchange
Noun
-
In France for the world premiere of Lee’s new film, Washington pointed his finger, spoke animatedly and clasped the arm of the photographer, who smiled his way through the exchange.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 May 2025
-
The crypto exchange didn’t pay and is instead offering the same amount for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the hackers.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quid pro quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quid%20pro%20quo. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share