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
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
New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
This is the chili recipe for all occasions—load it up on a baked potato, sop it up with cornbread, or enjoy it on its own.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 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
The other side of the sopping wet coin is how to counter these noises.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
This is the chili recipe for all occasions—load it up on a baked potato, sop it up with cornbread, or enjoy it on its own.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
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The leader of the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, which began in South Korea and has spread worldwide, is also on trial over the bribes.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Adani and several other defendants are accused of having paid Indian government officials more than $250 million in bribes to obtain solar energy supply contracts worth more than $2 billion in profits.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So, soak it in, wrestling fans, because this could very well be the final week of AJ Styles’ in-ring career.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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The health secretary, who turned 72 this month and celebrated with a hefty steak, pairs the diet with foods that are fermented, typically meaning they are soaked, salted or cultured to let natural bacteria or yeast break down sugars over time.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Water will leak under the shingles and wet the insulation, ceilings, and walls of your home.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Then wet the cloth with warm water and mild soap to give the board a better scrub.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Shares of Capital One dipped on Thursday evening after the credit card issuer's fourth-quarter earnings per share missed estimates due to higher expenses.—
,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Temperatures won't get above zero until Sunday, and wind chills on Friday morning will dip into the 40s below zero.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In June 2001, Andrea drowned all five of the Yates children before calling 911 and later confessing.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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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
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In a contemplative trailer announcing the news, the artist is seen washing his truck and eating solo at a restaurant.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Few ripples washed through Wall Street Wednesday after the Federal Reserve decided to hold its main interest rate steady, just like investors expected.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Directly across from the hotel, guests can walk to a lift that gives them immediate access to Andermatt’s 112 miles of slopes—enough to keep you fully immersed in the winter wonderland for days on end.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
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At its flagship location in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, more than 150 students in preschool through high school gather daily for school in a local public park, taught by experienced educators while immersed in the natural world.—
Kerry McDonald,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sixty years later, the Spectacle saturates us in ways the Situationists never imagined.—
Hari Kunzru,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Spray stain remover onto each stain, making sure to fully saturate the area.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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