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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to soak
to wet thoroughly with liquid
sopped the sponge with the detergent and began scrubbing the floor vigorously
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to wet
to make wet
my book fell in the swimming pool and was thoroughly sopped before I could fish it out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dip
to sink or push (something) briefly into or as if into a liquid
hesitant to sop his bread in gravy, no matter how delicious, at such a formal banquet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Simpson emerged as a spear-carrier for Social Security benefit cuts in 2010, when he was appointed the GOP co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, established by Barack Obama as a sop to conservative deficit hawks.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The perimeter of an outdoor area at Chroma, the Milwaukee Junction co-working space and venue that hosted the food festival, was lined with hundreds of guests in sopping shirts and sunglasses speckled with rainwater.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Noun
The reinstatement was an obvious sop to the gambling industry, an MLB partner, and possibly also to President Donald Trump, who lobbied for Rose’s future election into the Hall of Fame.
—Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Simpson emerged as a spear-carrier for Social Security benefit cuts in 2010, when he was appointed the GOP co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, established by Barack Obama as a sop to conservative deficit hawks.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
Sandberg was there wandering around the clubhouse sopping wet from a mixture of champagne, beer and rain water along with other Cub greats, protected by a yellow rain slicker.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The perimeter of an outdoor area at Chroma, the Milwaukee Junction co-working space and venue that hosted the food festival, was lined with hundreds of guests in sopping shirts and sunglasses speckled with rainwater.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
-
Bolden pleaded not guilty on April 11, 1997, to taking bribes.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In exchange for bribes, members of the Venezuelan National Guard loaded the cocaine onto the plane.—
Jay Weaver
January 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Allow the socks to soak at least 8 hours or overnight, and then wash in warm or hot water with a good quality detergent.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Laurie Haller, of Costa Mesa, was soaking her foot Monday morning to ease the pain following her seventh stingray hit that happened just four feet from shore.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now add a blob of water, wetting some of the sand.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
-
For suede boots, wet the entire surface with the vinegar and water solution to help keep the color even.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wipe the seal with a soft cloth dipped in some warm baking soda water and dry completely before closing the door.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Best of all, with prices dipping as low as $8, now’s the moment to upgrade your winter travel wardrobe without breaking the bank.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In June 2001, Andrea drowned all five of the Yates children before calling 911 and later confessing.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Like the leaves, the roots need oxygen so too much water around them will effectively drown them.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Re-wash and dry the garment, using these tips to avoid re-shrinking, to prevent a residue from the conditioner from setting.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Add a small amount of a gentle liquid detergent recommended for hand-washing delicate items, such as Woolite, and swish to disperse through the water.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The couple immersed themselves in his philosophies, maintaining correspondence with the controversial leader.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Freed from the cadence of earnings calls, Molinaroli has immersed himself in the machinery of talent production.—
William Jones,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The official Cuban narrative is often saturated with references to external causes of the crisis—with American sanctions as the preferred target—and refuses to acknowledge the outright failure of its economic model and the domestic drivers of the national crisis.—
Ricardo Torres,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
And with the domestic market increasingly saturated with EVs, Chinese companies are looking to sell their cars elsewhere around the globe.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
