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.
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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
Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
Spring is here, which means hydration and moisture is the biggest trend, from sopping wet curls to sleek chignons and water waves.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 14 Apr. 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
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
Spring is here, which means hydration and moisture is the biggest trend, from sopping wet curls to sleek chignons and water waves.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
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In 2024, federal prosecutors charged Menendez with using his influence as a senator to help the government of Qatar with questionable real estate development deals in exchange for lavish gifts and other bribes.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Prosecutors allege she was involved with more than $75,000 in bribes while serving as Adams' chief adviser.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Each villa has a magnificent plunge pool, a soaking tub, and an open-air living area that seamlessly merges with the outdoors.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Aug. 2025
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Working 1 banana bread slice at a time, dip into egg mixture, soaking about 5 seconds on each side.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Potential for wetting rain exists and could provide additional containment opportunities.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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To clean, start by wetting the inside of your shower.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
So far this decade — according to Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science — the number of days that lows failed to dip below 80 degrees has already doubled compared to the 2000’s.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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Huawei Huawei on Thursday launched the second generation of its trifold smartphone, as the Chinese tech giant looks to cement its comeback in its home market and dip its toe back overseas.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After a man drowned off a popular Anna Maria Island beach over the Labor Day weekend, city officials are speeding up plans to ban swimming in the area.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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On Wednesday, as one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims spoke outside the Capitol, pleading for government candor, fighter jets roared overhead, briefly drowning her out.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dry Dill To dry dill, wash and dry it thoroughly.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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The base can even wash the mops with water heated to 212 degrees Fahrenheit to remove grease.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fifteen years ago, Mexican attorney Alma Barraza immersed herself in a legal fight to win fair compensation for indigent villagers who lost their property when the government seized land to build a dam.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Some viewers will be fully immersed in the horror and despair of the moment, while others may have greater misgivings regarding Ben Hania’s layering of tearjerker tactics over material that hardly requires extra emotional amplification.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More than 600 missiles and drones, civilian infrastructure hit, air defenses saturated.—
Brett Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Accessorize With a Fall Palette Rich, warm, and saturated, fall’s color scheme is distinct and unequivocally nature-inspired.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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