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
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Recent Examples of quid pro quo
The prize is not a quid pro quo for a count of achievements, even real ones; it’s based on overall contributions to world peace.
—
Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
But Ocampo says it cannot clearly be determined whether that was the case or if they were discounted shipments, with some kind of quid pro quo — perhaps the deployment of doctors — or as humanitarian aid.
—María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
In the Christian version, a quid pro quo balance seems implied.
—Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
The 11-term congressman argued that the testimonies that were shared during the discovery process showed none of the witnesses saying there was quid pro quo.
—Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quid pro quo
Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
But Ocampo says it cannot clearly be determined whether that was the case or if they were discounted shipments, with some kind of quid pro quo — perhaps the deployment of doctors — or as humanitarian aid.
—María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
In the Christian version, a quid pro quo balance seems implied.
—Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
The 11-term congressman argued that the testimonies that were shared during the discovery process showed none of the witnesses saying there was quid pro quo.
—Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quid pro quo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quid pro quo
exchange
Noun
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Wasserman’s appearance in the Epstein files document dump, despite the consensual nature of his exchanges with Maxwell, has set off a firestorm among some of the clients represented by Wasserman’s sports, marketing and entertainment units.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
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The challenge will be in creating an exit ramp for President Xi Jinping of China to shift course so that normal diplomatic exchanges and channels of communication can be revived.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quid pro quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quid%20pro%20quo. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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