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
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Recent Examples of sop
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
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
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
The other side of the sopping wet coin is how to counter these noises.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Noun
As a sop to preservationists, the university salvaged the 1848 façade and tower, keeping them freestanding and pointless, like a souvenir on a shelf.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
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
Verb
Marcus was drying off while still in the pool, leaving his towel sopping wet.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
The other side of the sopping wet coin is how to counter these noises.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
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Anderson finished up her stretch in federal prison for accepting $7,000 in bribes last November.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Benjamin Yarbrough, 48, is charged with accepting a bribe, a felony, according to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Other highlights include a library gallery, a TV room, a wine cellar, and an exercise space, plus a posh primary suite holding an office, a private terrace, and a luxe bath showcased by a freestanding gray oval soaking tub.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Give it a quick shake, then either soak a cotton pad or pour a little into your palms and press it gently into your skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lightly wet a microfiber cloth with warm water, being careful not to over-soak it.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Though some celebs have taken the silent route, there are also plenty of A-listers who have no problem dipping their toes in the political pool and the potential criticism that might follow, such as Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish, who slammed ICE at the 2026 Grammys.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
-
This month, water temps were in the mid-to-upper 60s, at a time when the thermometer typically dips to the 50s.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Project’s participants were instructed to fight one another and endure simulated drowning, among other humiliations and discomforts, while remaining awake for most of three days.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Authorities alleged Goldberg followed her and tried to drown her before a bystander intervened.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Shark Stratos is designed for true hands free maintenance, featuring a NeverTouch Base that handles everything from emptying the dustbin to washing and drying the mop pads.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Always wash before peeling to avoid dragging surface residue into the flesh.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Arab foreign ministers on Sunday appointed veteran Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy as the head of the 22-member Arab League, at a time the Middle East is immersed in a regional war that shows no sign of abating.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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In 2022, when AD featured the Los Angeles residence of Emma Chamberlain, the wildly popular internet phenom was already immersing herself in the world of home decor, gaining confidence and inspiration from her work with the interiors firm Proem.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Two massive storm systems called Kona low moved through and sat over the islands for a few days, dumping feet of rain, saturating the ground, and causing devastating flooding in parts of Oʻahu.—
Chantell Murphy,
Outside,
24 Mar. 2026
-
There were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries, but authorities said hundreds of homes on Oahu's North Shore had been damaged by last week's flooding, which came as heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week earlier.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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