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
  • Rotterdam’s Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has become central to a local corruption scandal, due to the conduct of civil servants who allegedly accepted bribes to grant exorbitant construction contracts for public work.
    News Desk, Artforum, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The primary suite has dual walk-in closets, a soaking tub surrounded by 10-foot tumbled travertine stone walls, a steam shower, dry sauna and private fitness area.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Bathrooms are equipped with rain showers, motion-sensing Toto toilets, and soaking tubs.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Temperatures dipped to near 70 degrees in the morning, and noon temperatures should be in the mid-70s.
    Ron Smiley, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Bell transferred to Lee County, and Westover dipped to 6-4 last season.
    Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After a 2-year-old drowned in a backyard swimming pool in July 2025, Fatehi considered filing felony murder charges against his mother, who had passed out from drinking at the time of the accident.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Estimates of the death toll range from roughly 1 million to 4 million, with later deaths attributed to famine and disease as well as drowning.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But behind the crisp white tablecloths, strict dress code and expensive steak dinners was a kitchen full of immigrant workers washing dishes, preparing food and keeping the restaurant running.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Now, to the handwashing shortcomings, such as a cashier handling customer’s payment, then preparing drinks and serving plates of food to customers without washing hands (cash and payment cards tend to be germ motherships).
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Pal Ulvik Rokseth’s gritty cinematography, featuring the sort of muted color palette endemic to historical dramas of this type (there was apparently no sunshine until at least the 18th century), fully immerses you in the action.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • For the past eight months, Michigan players have been immersed in The Whittingham Way.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Fortunately, labels both affordable and luxury are coming out with new takes on this trend like clockwork, saturating the market with colorful jackets for every personal aesthetic and practical need under the sun (or, more accurately, the rain).
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Below, the liquid blushes that make the case, from sheer to saturated.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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