Sop — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb abbreviation /ˈsäp/

Meaning & Definition of Sop

Sop (noun)

  1. a piece of food dipped or steeped in a liquid
  2. a conciliatory or propitiatory bribe, gift, or gesture

Sop (verb)

  1. to steep or dip in or as if in liquid
  2. to wet thoroughly, soak
  3. mop

Sop (abbreviation)

  1. standard operating procedure; standing operating procedure

Sop (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: backhander (British), boodle, bribe, cumshaw, fix
    related: baksheesh, kickback, payoff, slush fund, incentive, incitement, instigation, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulation, stimulus, boost, encouragement, goad, inducement, allurement, bait, enticement, lure, seduction, temptation, turn-on, flattery, persuasion, decoy, snare, trap

Sop (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to wet thoroughly with liquid

    "sopped the sponge with the detergent and began scrubbing the floor vigorously"

    similar: drench, drown, impregnate, macerate, saturate, soak, sodden, souse, steep
    related: waterlog, water-soak, marinate, seethe, presoak, dip, immerse, inundate, submerge, swamp, bathe, douse, hydrate, swill, wash, water, infiltrate, penetrate, permeate, damp, dampen, humidify, moisten
    opposite: wring (out)
    near: dehydrate, desiccate, dry, parch, sear, drain, empty, void, dehumidify

  2. to make wet

    "my book fell in the swimming pool and was thoroughly sopped before I could fish it out"

    similar: bathe, bedraggle, douse, drench, drown, soak, sodden, souse, wash, water, water-soak, waterlog, wet, wet down
    related: asperse, bedew, damp, dampen, drizzle, humidify, hydrate, mist, moisten, moisturize, shower, sprinkle, deluge, flood, hose (down), inundate, overflow, submerge, swamp, splash, impregnate, saturate, steep, flush, irrigate, lave, rinse, slosh, sluice, dip, duck, dunk, rehydrate, rewash, rewet
    opposite: dehydrate, desiccate, dry, parch, scorch, sear
    near: dewater, evaporate, freeze-dry, drip-dry, wring, dehumidify

  3. 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"

    similar: dip, douse, duck, dunk, immerse, souse, submerge, submerse
    related: bathe, moisten, soak, steep, wet, drench, drown, flood, dive, plunge, thrust

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Sop

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sop:

British: backhander
boodle, bribe, cumshaw, fix, drench, drown, impregnate, macerate, saturate, soak, sodden, souse, steep, bathe, bedraggle, douse, wash, water, water-soak, waterlog, wet, wet down, dip, duck, dunk, immerse, submerge, submerse

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Sop

Words with the opposite meaning of Sop:

wring (out), dehydrate, desiccate, dry, parch, scorch, sear

Related Words for Sop

baksheesh, kickback, payoff, slush fund, incentive, incitement, instigation, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulation, stimulus, boost, encouragement, goad, inducement, allurement, bait, enticement, lure, seduction, temptation, turn-on, flattery, persuasion, decoy, snare, trap, marinate, seethe

Near Antonyms of Sop

drain, empty, void, dehumidify, dewater, evaporate, freeze-dry, drip-dry, wring

Word Forms of Sop

Inflections: sopped, sopping

Origin & Etymology of Sop

Middle English soppe, from Old English sopp; akin to Old English sūpan to swallow sup

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Sop

sop up

Frequently Asked Questions about Sop

What does "Sop" mean?

"Sop" means a piece of food dipped or steeped in a liquid. As an a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a piece of food dipped or steeped in a liquid. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sop"?

Other words for "Sop" include backhander, boodle, bribe, cumshaw, fix, drench, drown and impregnate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sop" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sop"?

There are 95 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sop". Common alternatives include backhander, boodle, bribe, cumshaw, fix, drench, drown, impregnate, macerate and saturate.

What is the opposite of "Sop"?

Antonyms of "Sop" include wring (out), dehydrate, desiccate, dry, parch, scorch and sear. Near antonyms include drain, empty, void and dehumidify.

How do you use "Sop" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sop" in a sentence: "as a sop to the teachers' union for supporting his reelection campaign, the mayor promised to push for the abolition of the residency requirement"; "sopped the sponge with the detergent and began scrubbing the floor vigorously"; "my book fell in the swimming pool and was thoroughly sopped before I could fish it out".

Is "Sop" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Sop" can be used as a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Sop"?

"Sop" is pronounced /ˈsäp/.

What is the origin of the word "Sop"?

"Sop" comes from Middle English soppe, from Old English sopp; akin to Old English sūpan to swallow sup. First known use: before 12th century.