sop 1 of 2

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
In a clip posted by Russia watcher Julia Davis, the guests suggested that Putin's agreement for a 30-day cessation of strikes on energy infrastructure was just a sop to Trump and showed no real intention by the Russian president to end hostilities. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 The main one is Lizzie, a young journalist stuck on the wedding beat at the local paper, with obits thrown in as a sop to her demand for equality. Jesse Green, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Carpenter tosses a green bag of sopping compost into a bin, then bends over to pick up a black plastic bag filled with trash. Alana Semuels/waitsfield, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025 The sheet that had been covering me was sopping wet and smelled strangely of my body, tin cans, and cayenne pepper. Gil Cuadros, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
  • But the clock is ticking, as he’s set to report to prison on Tuesday to begin his 11-year sentence for trading bribes for political favors and other crimes.
    Ella Lee, The Hill, 11 June 2025
  • Rhiannon Do received most of the bribes via a high-paying job at Viet America Society and $350,000 for a down payment on a $1 million Tustin Home.
    Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Overnight storms soaked parts of the Kansas City area, with the heaviest rains falling in Wyandotte County and the Northland, according to storm gauges across the metro.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
  • Minimal skin contact — juice soaks with skins for a few hours, gaining slightly deeper color and flavor than direct press.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Play at the lake, wet a line, wander through the woods or relax with your binoculars.
    Dalia Faheid, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025
  • Gently wet their head, paws, belly and ears with cool (not cold) water.
    Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 45 points, or 0.1%.
    Ganesh Rao,Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • The median price dips to $237,500 heading into University City North.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The funeral service for a Metro Transit Police Department sergeant who drowned on Sunday in White Bear Lake will be Friday.
    Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 25 June 2025
  • Tragically, eight people drowned, while two were rescued by lifeguards, park rangers and nearby civilian boaters who rushed to help.
    Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Not pressure washing your driveway can lead to structural damage or even safety hazards on top of the inevitable eyesore.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
  • Choose warm or hot water: While some clothes should always be washed using cold water, higher temperatures are more effective at removing dirt, oil, and sweat.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • After birth, a baby is immediately immersed in a sea of words and rhythm, as their caregivers coo over them, chatter and sing lullabies.
    Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
  • But, according to Hoffman, corporate citizenship leaders are immersing themselves in extensive planning for both short-term and long-term challenges as well as identifying opportunities for continued growth and sustained impact in their companies and communities.
    Timothy J. McClimon, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • For those that require only a little water, saturate a heavy bath towel and place it under the pots.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 June 2025
  • The beans are creamy and luxurious, saturated with a mixture of emulsified butter and chicken drippings.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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