Definition of sopnext
as in bribe
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision as a sop to the teachers' union for supporting his reelection campaign, the mayor promised to push for the abolition of the residency requirement

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sop

2 of 2

verb

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 sop
Noun
The implication is that the Republican tax reform was intended as a sop to the rich and designed to favor only the president’s supporters. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026 This was seen as a sop to the luxury sector of manufacturers like Ferrari, Aston Martin, Volkswagen’s Bentley and Lamborghini. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the away end, on this putrid, sopping evening in N17, the bigger picture is steamrolled by the small. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 When the sopping girl has joined them on the beach, one of the producers separates from the huddle of production personnel. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
  • His attorneys have instead argued the prosecution failed to prove the money constituted a bribe, saying White never intended to use his office to deliver contracts sought by Kamara.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments reflect a divided opinion on the trial of Council Member Trayon White, who is accused of accepting a bribe.
    — Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The two large bathrooms had plenty of closet space and a deep soaking tub (there’s a third small powder room off the living area).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • With heavy rain soaking the region on Thursday, the National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for several rivers, including the Missouri River and locations along it.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Crumble up and wet a small piece, then gently rub it over spots and stains.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.
    — Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Mainland Chinese equities dropped to a 13-month low this month, while the Japanese yen dipped to a multi-decade low in June.
    — Hok-hang Cheung, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Trump’s approval also dipped among Black and Latino voters in the poll.
    — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In forensic parlance, a diagnosis of exclusion is one reached by ruling out other plausible causes; drowning can be challenging to prove, because often there’s no telltale sign that one occurred.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Meadows’ death certificate later listed his cause of death as drowning with probable hypothermia.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • At high tide, the waves wash into his living room, depositing saltwater treasures and unlikely new friends.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The result is a single zone that can wash, chop, drain and dry without a cook ever moving to a new surface.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The beach club is equipped with another pool, plus fold-out terraces that immerse guests in their surroundings.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
  • On the 52nd floor, visitors can immerse themselves in a traditional omakase experience at the hotel’s exclusive sushi counter and head to the adjacent rooftop bar for a nightcap.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Using sine wave generators and pink lighting so saturated it essentially blots out all other color and shadow, Young and Zazeela created a space that’s somehow both static and full of life.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • By many accounts, Glass is a friendly, obliging collaborator, and his music—fruitfully self-effacing, rarely complex enough to saturate or overwhelm the listener’s attention—behaves the same way.
    — Matthew Aucoin, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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