sops 1 of 2

plural of sop
as in bribes
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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sops

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sop
1
2
3
as in dips
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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sops
Noun
  • She was infamously shown stuffing $1,000 in cash bribes into her bra in a photo that was released by the feds.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Spagnuolo is very clear about supposed bribes paid by pharmaceutical companies in the context of purchases by Andis, to the tune of 5 to 8 percent, which were funneled directly into the pockets of the Menems and Karina.
    Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the clip shared to @sirbrucee, the large dog named Bruce towers over the tub, which is filled with water as his owner soaks inside.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This antioxidant ingredient contains beta-glucan and soaks into the skin to smooth fine lines.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • From PB&Js and dips to smoothies and sauces, almost all of us have experienced the familiar flavor of peanut butter.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
  • But Sheeran also dips into world beats, inspired by recording for a month in India.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The deal marks the latest major investment by AT&T to accelerate its fiber and 5G network build-out as the wireless market saturates and internet usage surges.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
  • For brands, the trend has become an opportunity to market products that speak to the Performative Male; which, in turn, only saturates the dating pool with more artifice that is a turn-off for women.
    Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Environmental groups support paying farmers to leave flood-prone land because floodwater that spreads across farm fields washes fertilizer, pesticides and other chemicals into rivers, causing a range of down-river harms.
    Molly Parker, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The base then washes the mop with heated water that gradually increases in temperature from 104 to 167 degrees Fahrenheit to specifically target and remove different kinds of dirt and grime.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Plants will slowly die with yellowing foliage as water builds up in the container and drowns the roots.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
  • But rather than capturing the madness of the era, Lee drowns in sub-Scorsese excess, confusing saying a lot of things bluntly with saying something meaningful.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Bright sunlight floods the sensors with background noise, surface reflections distort the signal, and long-distance measurements require higher stability than short-range indoor use.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Rainwater floods their tents and officers go cell-to-cell pressuring detainees to sign voluntary removal orders before they’re allowed to consult their attorneys.
    Kate Payne, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Accents include custom furnishings, abstract expressionism art, wallcoverings inspired by traditional Italian craft paper, bas-relief plaster wall art and mood lighting that drenches the room in sunset shades.
    Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
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.

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“Sops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sops. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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