as in bribes
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision
the customs official let us know that he might be prepared to look the other way if an appropriate backhander was slipped into his palm
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Recent Examples of backhanders
His mining deals in Congo, NGOs alleged, relied on schemes like kickbacks and backhanders.
—
Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanders
bribes
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Backhanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanders. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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