bribery
Americannoun
plural
briberiesnoun
Usage
What does bribery mean? Bribery is the act of giving money (or something else of value) to someone to get them to do something you want them to do, especially something they’re not supposed to do. In other words, bribery is the act of bribing someone—offering them a bribe. In most cases, this refers to the often illegal act of offering money to people in official positions, like politicians, government officials, or sports referees, in order to get them to change an outcome to be more favorable to the person offering the bribe. For example, a businessperson might bribe a senator to vote a certain way, which is of course illegal. Bribery can also refer to the practice of offering someone an incentive to do something, especially a child, as in I tried offering the kids TV time as a reward for cleaning up their room, but apparently bribery doesn’t work because they didn’t do it. Bribery can also refer to the exchange or acceptance of a bribe, but it most commonly refers to the act of offering it. Example: The video clearly shows the lobbyist presenting the senator a briefcase full of money and asking for a favorable vote—it’s an open-and-shut case of bribery.
Etymology
Origin of bribery
1350–1400; Middle English briberie theft < Middle French: begging. See bribe, -ery
Compare meaning
How does bribery compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If you secretly give money to a contest judge to win a competition rather than play fairly, you engage in bribery. Bribery involves offering money, gifts, or favors to someone in power to influence their actions in your favor. It’s like slipping a dollar to your friend to get them to do your homework or giving a gift to a teacher for a better grade. Bribery is often illegal because it undermines fairness and honesty, creating an unequal playing field where the rules are bent for those willing to pay. This unethical practice can happen in politics, business, sports, and even everyday situations.
Vocabulary lists containing bribery
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His son: the man who would later become tangled up in a huge corruption and bribery scandal that would last the next 10 years.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
A South Korean appeals court increased the corruption sentence for former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Tuesday to four years in jail after finding her guilty of stock manipulation and bribery.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
The 83-year-old is standing trial on bribery and other charges while in custody, although she has been temporarily released to hospital for medical treatment.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
The U.S.-Mexico trade pact “requires our governments to criminalize bribery and corruption and enforce codes of conduct for public officials,” the ambassador noted as he closed his remarks.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026
There was a morality to the house, and Emma was the moral center, the bribery notwithstanding.
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
