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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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
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Recent Examples of bribe
David Williams, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
Paying bribes to Assad’s henchmen was part of the ritual of repression.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
For years, Taiwan’s security agencies have warned about Beijing’s growing attempts to infiltrate its armed forces and their espionage activities, particularly efforts to bribe military officers in exchange for national secrets.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bribe 
Noun
And, nefarious individuals would feel free to continue paying cash bribes to third-party examiners to fraudulently obtain commercial driver’s licenses.
—David Williams, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
Paying bribes to Assad’s henchmen was part of the ritual of repression.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
The pair are accused of bribing Thao and Jones to secure access to lucrative contracts with the city of Oakland — a blockbuster case that has cast a cloud over City Hall.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
For years, Taiwan’s security agencies have warned about Beijing’s growing attempts to infiltrate its armed forces and their espionage activities, particularly efforts to bribe military officers in exchange for national secrets.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bribe
Noun
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Trump has also moved to end a $7,500 federal tax credit for new EV purchases, an incentive for which Tesla buyers were the top beneficiaries.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
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The consumption slump, worsened by weak consumer and business confidence and the near collapse of the property sector, has prompted Beijing to loosen its monetary policy and pursue various forms of stimulus, including pay increases in for civil servants and tax incentives for property purchases.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Bridget Jones went straight to Universal’s streaming service Peacock in the U.S. in a Valentine’s gift to existing subscribers and in a bid to lure new subs.—
Pamela McClintock,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
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Jeff: Despite my personal feelings on the validity of this rule, imagine if NASCAR is able to lure F1 veteran Sergio Pérez to run the inaugural Mexico City race this season.—
Jeff Gluck,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Weekly Newsletter Get your fix of JSTOR Daily’s best stories in your inbox each Thursday.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Feb. 2025
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There’s no better place to get your fashion fix than France.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Pilot offers free drink with the purchase of any two slices of pizza On Sunday, customers can buy two slices of pizza and get a free medium Coke at participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers, the company told USA TODAY.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
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That bill was largely footed by Canadian taxpayers because Trudeau's government bought the line in 2018 to save it from cancellation by original proponent Kinder Morgan.—
Robert Tuttle Bloomberg News (WPNS),
arkansasonline.com,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps most intriguingly, these principles are even being applied to the field of robotics, with researchers developing tiny mobile robots that can respond to environmental stimuli in ways inspired by natural mechanisms.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
6 Feb. 2025
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As consumers returned to dining out, traveling and other services, many fast-food cashiers, front-desk clerks and hair stylists were leery of coming back to in-person jobs and living off generous government stimulus checks and other aid, Hershbein said.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the costume drama based on Guy de Maupassant’s 1885 novel of the same name, Pattinson portrayed an ambitious and amoral social striver, a former soldier who seeks to improve his fortunes by seducing the wives (played by Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas) of powerful men.—
Kevin Cassidy,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Feb. 2025
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His evolution from a homeless teen seducing girls on his friends’ couches into an international pop star with one foot in Hollywood and the other atop the Billboard charts has been a circuitous one filled with pitfalls — and some of the catchiest tunes of the century.—
Matthew Ismael Ruiz,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Some of her motivation comes from personal experiences as a caregiver and helping family members keep track of their medications – which can get complicated.—
Michael Merschel/ American Heart Association News,
Boston Herald,
9 Feb. 2025
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Mahomes' opponent, the Eagles, will also have some motivation.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Builders have been slashing prices and offering incentives to entice buyers.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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The value proposition for players in a single-player game is a lot fuzzier, though; that's why Sony is adding some candy with these in-game unlockables to try to entice players to create accounts and sign in.—
Samuel Axon,
Ars Technica,
29 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bribe. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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