bribe with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bribe with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of offering something, typically money or a favor, to persuade someone to act in a certain way. Example: "He tried to bribe with cash to secure the contract, but it was reported to the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Monsanto was also caught concealing the bribe with fake invoices.

The New York Times

But Greek tax officials were notoriously easy to bribe with a fakelaki (small envelope) of cash.

The New Yorker

He was able to bribe, with doughnuts, one of his colleagues to look up my contact information.

The New York Times

Does he denounce the idea, or bring up last night's Yankee game - or encourage the bribe with delicate ambiguity?

The New York Times - Magazine

Those who remain, often the old and the very young, are easier to intimidate or bribe with hand-outs of maize flour.

The Economist

Then an associate of Mr. Scruggs's agreed to wear a recording device while discussing the bribe with members of the conspiracy, prosecutors stated in court documents.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I was also bribed with destinations.

The New York Times - Travel

He Arranged Bribes With Cianci".

The New York Times - Magazine

Governments that question this are bribed with cheap Nigerian oil.

The Economist

Banks were making bribes with other people's money.

The New Yorker

The policemen were polite and helpful, instead of demanding bribes with menaces.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bribe with", clearly specify what is being offered as the bribe. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid implying that bribery is the sole motivator without considering other influencing factors. Recognize the complexity of human decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bribe with" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating the means by which someone is attempting to influence another's actions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing acts of offering something to persuade.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bribe with" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of attempting to influence someone unethically, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it carries a neutral register but a decidedly negative connotation. To enhance clarity in writing, it's best to specify what is being offered as the bribe. While the phrase is widely understood, alternatives such as "offer a bribe of" or "attempt to corrupt with" may be more precise depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a bribe of

Focuses on the act of offering a bribe, specifying the item being offered.

attempt to corrupt with

Highlights the intention to corrupt, emphasizing the moral aspect of the act.

influence with a payoff

Emphasizes the influential aspect using a payoff as the incentive.

induce with incentives

Focuses on providing incentives as a means of persuasion.

persuade through bribery

Highlights persuasion as a consequence using bribery.

tempt with an inducement

Focuses on the temptation aspect of the offer.

incentivize with rewards

Stresses the positive reinforcement through rewards.

sway with gifts

Highlights the use of gifts to influence someone's opinion or decision.

buy off with compensation

Implies a more direct exchange where compensation is offered to gain favor.

suborn with favors

Indicates the act of instigating someone to commit an unlawful act with favors.

FAQs

How can I use "bribe with" in a sentence?

You can use "bribe with" to describe the act of offering something valuable to influence someone's actions. For example: "He tried to bribe with cash to secure the contract."

What are some alternatives to "bribe with"?

Alternatives include "offer a bribe of", "attempt to corrupt with", or "influence with a payoff" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to use the phrase "bribe with"?

Yes, using "bribe with" typically carries a negative connotation, implying unethical or illegal actions to influence someone's behavior or decisions.

What is the difference between "bribe with" and simply "offer" something?

"Bribe with" implies an illicit or unethical intent to influence, while "offer" is a neutral term that doesn't necessarily suggest any wrongdoing. The context determines whether an offer is considered a bribe.