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
-
Christopher and Joseph Ponzo — ex-Stoneham police officers — defrauded a company to obtain tens of millions of dollars of Mass Save funds through paying bribes and kickbacks to company employees.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026 -
According to The Associated Press, prosecutors are investigating whether the sisters accepted bribes or kickbacks in connection with the appropriation of city funds to a migrant shelter provider.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bavel’s Hummus Masabacha Bavel chef-owner Ori Menashe soaks his garbanzo beans overnight then cooks them until tender.—
Restaurant Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
For a floral display to thrive, gentle rain that soaks directly into the soil is crucial.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even a simple soaker hose is better than a sprinkler system that wets the foliage, which can make plants prone to blights and mildews.—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Sweat that can’t escape wets a jacket’s layer of insulation and accelerates heat loss.—
Longji Cui,
The Conversation,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Historically, the closer’s velocity dips early in the season following his 2023 knee injury, typically bouncing back as warm weather arrives and the season progresses.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The surf-style company Johnnie-O, for example, dips into the Deep South with its classic, understated Azalea Collection.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Otherwise, water saturates the soil and kills plants.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Water pools in your eyes as serotonin saturates your nervous system.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their gigantic bigotry drowns out their smaller accomplishments.—
Alan M. Dershowitz,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As a beautiful, palpably anxious bride, Camila Morrone’s Rachel, walks down the aisle to her adoring groom, Nicky (Adam DiMarco), the sound of labored breathing nearly drowns out the music.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Splashdown sends boats careening into a wall of water that drenches riders and onlookers alike, welcome relief in triple-digit heat.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Or, systemic insecticide treatments with dinotefuran or imidacloprid can be used as trunk sprays, trunk injections or soil drenches depending on the label.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That price includes the robovac’s OMNI Station dock, which empties its dirt bin into a bagless canister, washes its rolling mop with heated, pressurized water, and refills its reservoirs.—
Andrew Liszewski,
The Verge,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, the only black-and-white to be found here is on David Zinn’s thought-provoking set, which washes the abodes of the younger characters in funereal black right down to Suzanna’s hotel bed.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Sops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sops. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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