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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sop
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision last month to shut down Germany's oldest nuclear reactors and temporarily scrub life extensions for the rest was widely seen as a sop to voters in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Apr. 2011
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
Carpenter tosses a green bag of sopping compost into a bin, then bends over to pick up a black plastic bag filled with trash.
—Alana Semuels/waitsfield, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Noun
Simpson emerged as a spear-carrier for Social Security benefit cuts in 2010, when he was appointed the GOP co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, established by Barack Obama as a sop to conservative deficit hawks.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision last month to shut down Germany's oldest nuclear reactors and temporarily scrub life extensions for the rest was widely seen as a sop to voters in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Apr. 2011
Verb
Solange, seen in sopping wet tresses this week, creative directed a birthday shoot for Ari Lennox.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
Carpenter tosses a green bag of sopping compost into a bin, then bends over to pick up a black plastic bag filled with trash.
—Alana Semuels/waitsfield, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sop
Noun
-
Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients as part of the scheme, paid bribes totaling more than $7 million and used more than $15 million for his own benefit, according to prosecutors.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
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Given Paramount’s recent capitulation to President Trump in the CBS News lawsuit, the Writers Guild of America has significant concerns that The Late Show’s cancellation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump Administration as the company looks for merger approval.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Rooms are spacious and feature modern Thai decor, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, deep soaking tubs, and rainfall showers.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
19 July 2025
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Two upstairs en suite bedrooms include the primary suite, which features a tiled balcony offering up a picturesque view of the Griffith Observatory, dual walk-in closets, and a bath flaunting a marble soaking tub notched into a windowed and arched alcove.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
Several people wetted shirts in the river, then put them back on.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
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To create the look, Vickers wets White’s hair, coats it with sea salt spray to add texture, and then finishes it off a diffuser and milk serum to help keep the shape.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
The share of adults in the workforce dipped to 62.3% last month, the lowest since December 2022.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
-
Overnight temperatures will provide little relief from the sweltering daytime heat, dipping only into the mid-70s.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
28 July 2025
Verb
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Social media influencer Emilie Kiser does not want the public to see what led Chandler police to recommend a criminal charge against her husband in the drowning death of their 3-year-old son, according to a new court filing.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025
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The tragedy comes after a German man, 54, also drowned on Tuesday at Cap de Sant Pere de Cambrils beach, near Llarga beach, bringing Catalan beaches’ fatalities to 16 since June 15, according to the BBC.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Regular gravel grinding means regularly washing your bike and lubricating the chain.—
Eric Bangeman,
ArsTechnica,
25 July 2025
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The water piped into homes is often used for washing clothes, bathing and watering gardens.—
Jake Goodrick
July 25,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
The Bruised star immersed herself in the canyon, and leaned against the rock formations while posing for photos and selfies.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
30 July 2025
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Residents can stroll through peaceful pathways, immerse themselves in nature, and find inspiration along the community’s unique art and poetry trail.—
Brigitte Nowinski,
Sacbee.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
The nest must be fully saturated for all wasps to be killed.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
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Nutrition Facts Calories: 222 Protein: 2.22 grams (g) Fat: 22.22 g Carbohydrate: 3.33 g Sugars: 2.22 g Fatty acids (saturated): 21.11 g Sodium: 17 milligrams (mg) Potassium: 278 mg Coconut milk and coconut cream are similar but not the same.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sop. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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