bribe 1 of 2

noun

ˈbrīb How to pronounce bribe (audio)
Definition of bribenext
as in incentive
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision that judge refused a huge bribe to dismiss the charges against the wealthy defendant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bribe

2 of 2

verb

as in to lure
to influence someone with a bribe meat inspectors were bribed, and the contaminated beef was sold to the public

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 bribe
Noun
Porteous was convicted by the Senate in December 2010 on charges of accepting bribes and making false statements under penalty of perjury. ​​Rep. — Brian Bennett, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025 The Public Integrity Section is responsible for bringing high profile cases against public officials who are accused of accepting bribes or flouting election laws. — Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
Firms here contributed to a money account to bribe witnesses and others involved. — Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 In the scheme, Christopher Ponzo, an electrician, started bribing the associate to ensure the vendor granted his company, CAP Electric, millions in contract work. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bribe
  1. incentive
  2. lure
  3. fix
  4. buy
  5. stimulus
  6. seduce
  7. motivation
  8. entice
Noun
  • As such, there is little incentive for non-citizens to try to vote, Levitt said.
    — Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Trump says tariffs will force other countries to lower their own rates on U.S. goods and services, creating a more balanced economic playing field for U.S. exports and a strong incentive for companies to manufacture goods such as cars inside the U.S. to avoid paying the tax.
    — John Bacon, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • In Germany, phony emails containing QR codes lured eBanking customers to malicious websites under the guise of reviewing privacy policy updates to their accounts.
    — David G.W. Birch, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Most parents are looking for ways to lure their children away from TV and iPads.
    — Emily Edlynn, Parents, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of lure
Noun
  • Another common-sense fix is court notifications, which many cities and states have already implemented or are considering.
    — Lisel Petis, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Weekly Newsletter Get your fix of JSTOR Daily’s best stories in your inbox each Thursday.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of fix
Verb
  • The Fantasy 5 midday draw of 2, 4, 15, 23 and 25 were on a ticket bought in Jacksonville and a Quick Pick ticket sold at the Publix at Country Club Plaza in Northwest Miami-Dade, 18496 NW 67th Ave.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Don’t wait to buy patio furniture in preparation for warmer weather — now is the ideal time while there are still deals to shop.
    — Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of buy
Noun
  • This brain activity leads to the provocative conclusion that people with fibromyalgia don’t simply have lower thresholds for reporting a stimulus as painful.
    — Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, leading economists agree that health care price transparency will free up $1 trillion in our economy every year, generating an enormous economic stimulus while reining in the runaway costs plaguing businesses nationwide.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • Single women—more likely, naturally, to be seduced by the devil—were disproportionately executed for witchcraft.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Taking over a century-old garden house hidden within Shanghai’s storied alleys, Samuel Gui Yang softly partitioned the space, seducing the audience yet making every one of them a clandestine voyeur.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of seduce
Noun
  • Incorporate a mix of both monetary and non-monetary recognition that aligns with your team’s values and motivations.
    — Luciana Paulise, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Millennials were the most optimistic about business travel overall, describing it as valuable for career development, motivation and team collaboration.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of motivation
Verb
  • Numerous observers believe the Bay Area could begin to see an economic lift from the rush into artificial intelligence, a fledgling field that has enticed investors and fueled startup activity.
    — George Avalos, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • And there are plenty of people out there to entice, given that the majority of Americans these days aren’t regular moviegoers.
    — William Earl, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of entice

Browse Nearby Words

bribable
bribe
bribed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribe. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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