Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

venal

[ veen-l ]

adjective

  1. willing to sell one's influence, especially in return for a bribe; open to bribery; mercenary:

    a venal judge.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. able to be purchased, as by a bribe:

    venal acquittals.

  3. associated with or characterized by bribery:

    a venal administration; venal agreements.



venal

/ viːˈnælɪtɪ; ˈviːnəl /

adjective

  1. easily bribed or corrupted; mercenary

    a venal magistrate

  2. characterized by corruption

    a venal civilization

  3. open to purchase, esp by bribery

    a venal contract

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • venality, noun
  • ˈԲ, adverb
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • n· adverb
  • ԴDz·n adjective
  • non·n· adverb
  • ܲ·n adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of venal1

1645–55; < Latin ŧ, equivalent to ŧ ( um ) (accusative) for sale ( vend ) + - -al 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of venal1

C17: from Latin ŧ, from ŧum sale
Discover More

Synonym Study

See corrupt.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But, again, they are worth laughing at for their venal stupidity, empty reasoning, and sheer chutzpah in preaching the unbelievable to the unknowing and uncaring.

From

We shouldn’t discount the venal draw of a show like this, which is that plenty of Gibson’s followers probably still believe in her, although they might not admit it openly.

From

But this wild and terrible tale of crime and power, pitting devastated Jewish parents against the venal might of unyielding papal law, is entirely its own emotional minefield.

From

It is clear Congress will need to step in now to reign in your venal rogues since you apparently will not.

From

We are everything everyone says we are – venal, shallow, incredibly ignorant, self-effacing, smug, arrogant and often wrong.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


vena contractavenality