Definition of sopnext
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

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sop

2 of 2

verb

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 sop
Noun
The implication is that the Republican tax reform was intended as a sop to the rich and designed to favor only the president’s supporters. Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026 This was seen as a sop to the luxury sector of manufacturers like Ferrari, Aston Martin, Volkswagen’s Bentley and Lamborghini. Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the away end, on this putrid, sopping evening in N17, the bigger picture is steamrolled by the small. George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 When the sopping girl has joined them on the beach, one of the producers separates from the huddle of production personnel. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In another scheme, former Commerce City Manager Edgar Pascual Cisneros provided $45,000 in bribes to Pacheco to secure a permit for another marijuana company and was promised $235,000 as part of the deal, prosecutors said.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Palace workers also collected cards soaked after a nightly downpour and dried them to preserve the mourners’ messages for posterity, NRK reported.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Excess moisture is the biggest concern, so avoid soaking the surface and dry it thoroughly after cleaning.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Havenith said deliberately wetting clothing can provide evaporative cooling, including for older adults who may not sweat as effectively.
    Aya Diab, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For best results, water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing moisture to soak into the root zone rather than wetting the foliage, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In 2025-26, his first full season as hockey operations adviser and mentor, Chára dipped his toe into multiple buckets, including management and coaching.
    Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The five new finds below all come in at under $5 apiece, a low-stakes way to dip your toes into fall flavors without spending much.
    Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Deputies riding Sea-Doos on July 18 rescued three swimmers not wearing life jackets who were close to drowning on Petite Lake in unincorporated Lake Villa.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The turbine room could have filled with water if the emergency shutdown systems failed, potentially drowning anyone inside.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • People pointed to enormous rocks that had been washed downriver during the earlier floods, as others standing on a suspension bridge over the water were warned off with whistles.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Some pointed to enormous rocks washed downriver during the earlier floods, while others standing on a suspension bridge were warned off with whistles.
    Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Everything from mountain biking and kayaking, hiking and horseback riding will immerse travelers among the vivid trees.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Serving in another field or capacity, pursuing a hobby or getting immersed in a new discipline or art, especially for those in creative spaces, can impart unique and valuable perspectives that inform one’s whole approach to work.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The initial three rounds were not very heavy but saturated the soil and left the area much more prone to dangerous flash flooding once the fourth round of torrential rain moved through.
    Trevor Ault, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • By then, police said the Nissan was wanted in connection with felony evading, and officers saturated the area in an effort to locate it.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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