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
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Recent Examples of sop
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 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
Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
By the end of the day, their pants were pulled up to their knees and their shoes were sopping wet.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
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
Strain the sauce and drizzle some of it over the shredded pork (the pork should be lightly coated but not sopping wet).
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
By the end of the day, their pants were pulled up to their knees and their shoes were sopping wet.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
-
All 14 of the ex-Antioch and Pittsburg officers to be charged have pleaded guilty or been convicted of some law violation, including participating in a college degree fraud scandal, accepting bribes, firearms violations and real estate fraud.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
-
James claims that perks and bribes were allegedly in exchange for favorable treatment during the audits.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Spray coated the covered clubhouse walls, soaking the shirts that proclaimed Toronto’s October future.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
How To Sanitize Pet Bowls Because handwashing is not as sanitary as the dishwasher, the AKC recommends soaking pet bowls in diluted bleach once a week.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Spray the door generously with cleaner or use a microfiber cloth to wet the door with the diluted vinegar mixture.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Before going in, run the inside of your mouth with your tongue to wet every surface.—
Ian Kumamoto,
Them.,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With temperatures only continuing to dip, now’s the time to upgrade your loungewear with these cozy sweatpants from Amazon, Athleta, and Nike below.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Ask for an explanation of why wide receiver Hunter Renfrow’s playing time dipped in the Carolina Panthers’ win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3, and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik will remind you of something obvious.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 46-year-old former country star and 42-year-old actress suffered a tragedy in 2019 when their 3-year-old son River drowned in the pool outside their Texas home.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Birria and tortas ahogadas, a sandwich drowned in red salsa, are local staples, perfect for recovering after a long night out.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Appetizer options include mini crab cakes and salmon bites, served alongside an assortment of specialty cocktails to wash it all down.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The lid and straw can be quickly washed by hand, though some reviewers recommend using a straw cleaner for better scrubbing.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This is the first cohort to grow up fully online, immersed in memes, anime and global entertainment franchises.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Leave the mums immersed in water for at least 30 minutes until the pot feels heavy.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Once the leaves are saturated with cesium, they can be easily replaced.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
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In contrast, the Volkswagen car company was closely allied with the Nazis and saturated with its ideology.—
Robert M. Ehrenreich,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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