as in bribes
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 soaks
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 wets
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 dips
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sops
Noun
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Chen kept ledgers of bribes, according to the indictment, and in 2019 a $3 million yacht was bought for a senior official in an unnamed foreign government.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025 -
They were accused of paying bribes to secure Bella and Olivia Jade’s admission into the University of Southern California.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That natural setting soaks into the music.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
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The fields, the pints and the football largely look the same in both Iowa and Wisconsin, and the beer soaks the palate of life along the Driftless beer highway.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the comedy is absolutely something that wets my beak, I'm drawn to it.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Watering from above also wets the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases or powdery mildew on a mum's leaves.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some azaleas are winter hardy to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6, where the coldest winter night dips to -10 degrees.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Guests can dine at the on-site Beacon Restaurant, stroll the nearby boardwalk, or unwind by the fire pits as the sun seemingly dips into the glistening lake.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The result is a geomagnetic storm that amplifies the ionospheric and radio disruptions caused by flares and saturates the radiation belts surrounding Earth to such an extent that new belts can suddenly form.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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The deal marks the latest major investment by AT&T to accelerate its fiber and 5G network build-out as the wireless market saturates and internet usage surges.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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About once a year, someone drowns.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
On the same day that Ebun’s beloved cousin Monife drowns, Ebun gives birth to her daughter, Eniiyi.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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On Girl Violence, Strauss drenches her songs in feedback and languor, adding heat to her expressions of desire and comfort to her feelings of anxiety.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
16 Sep. 2025
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Accents include custom furnishings, abstract expressionism art, wallcoverings inspired by traditional Italian craft paper, bas-relief plaster wall art and mood lighting that drenches the room in sunset shades.—
Melinda Sheckells,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To start with a wedding, then wait ’til later to figure out the details of who washes the dishes and whether the toilet seat stays down, sounds backwards but is certainly better than hostage-taking and war without an achievable end.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
26 Oct. 2025
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Its Ozmo roller mop washes itself with hot water and dries with heated air.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Sops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sops. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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