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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to soak
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 to wet
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 to dip
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
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Recent Examples of sop
Jesse Green, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The second act begins to drag with slapdash vaudeville showcases that seem like sops to the performers.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
An ideal combination of a mop-and-bucket and a Swiffer-style wet-or-dry mop, a wet/dry vacuum utilizes the suction and rotation power of a vacuum with just enough moisture to keep things from getting sopping wet.
—Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sop
Noun
The main one is Lizzie, a young journalist stuck on the wedding beat at the local paper, with obits thrown in as a sop to her demand for equality.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The second act begins to drag with slapdash vaudeville showcases that seem like sops to the performers.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
But in the Northeast and Midwest, that research points to a less concrete loss, of ice fishing and pond skating and dogsledding, and other parts of life that just aren’t as possible in a sopping wet, muddy winter.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
An ideal combination of a mop-and-bucket and a Swiffer-style wet-or-dry mop, a wet/dry vacuum utilizes the suction and rotation power of a vacuum with just enough moisture to keep things from getting sopping wet.
—Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
-
Prosecutors alleged that Jenkins accepted cash bribes and bribes in the form of campaign contributions from various individuals, including two who were undercover FBI agents.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
26 May 2025
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Also, the administration announced a pause in criminal enforcement of a law that prohibits U.S. companies from paying bribes to foreign officials, according to NBC News.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Photo : Anthony Barcelo A soaking tub holds court in the primary bath.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
23 May 2025
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Generally, though, most people recover fine at home with Epsom salt soaks, a daily bandage change, and applying antibiotic ointment.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
His mother wet a sponge to moisten his lips and tongue.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
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The president’s health has been the subject of speculation for years; in 2023, six journalists were arrested after they were accused of sharing a video that appeared to show the president wetting himself.—
Abdi Latif Dahir,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The roll comes already dipped with soy sauce, so resist the urge to dunk each piece before taking a bite.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
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Before the moon dips below the western horizon around midnight local time, moongazers may also catch sight of its shadowed expanse faintly glowing — an effect known as earthshine, caused by sunlight reflected off Earth softly illuminating the moon's night side.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Hundreds of caribou have drowned after breaking through the ice.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
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New founders often drown prospects in features, not value.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
The linen cotton blend isn’t see-through and is safe to machine wash on a gentle cycle and even tumble dry on low afterward.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
27 May 2025
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The brand recommends washing the mat in cold water on the gentle cycle, and tumble drying it on a low speed or laying it flat to air dry.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Verb
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This is the perfect time to immerse yourself in a passion project or share your latest ideas with those around you.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
29 May 2025
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Abbey Marino-Briggs, Adjunct Professor at the University of Tulsa and Founder of The Bold Professional, has spent the past seven years deeply immersed in the hiring process — managing recruitment, leading internship programs, and conducting over 1,000 job interviews.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
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The first items in a list of CDC recommendations for preventing heart disease are all about food: Choose healthy meals and snacks high in fiber and limit saturated and trans fats, salt, and sugar.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Additionally, the duo is aware of how saturated the market has become given the amount of new launches, particularly ahead of summer.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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