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: corruptible, bribable
   Antonyms: incorruptible

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

Other Word Forms

• venally adverb
• nonvenal adjective
• nonvenally adverb
• unvenal adjective
• venality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of venal¹

1645–55; < Latin vēnālis, equivalent to vēn ( um ) (accusative) for sale ( vend ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of venal¹

C17: from Latin vēnālis, from vēnum sale

Synonym Study

See corrupt.

Example Sentences

The corruption revelations tend to range from the somewhat venal — party bigwigs living on limited government salaries enjoying lavish lifestyles — to more insidious allegations of Morena officials in league with organized crime.

From Los Angeles Times

But that, of course, is the slippery pleasure of “Relay,” which pits individuals against venal institutional might.

From Los Angeles Times

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 Salon

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 Salon

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 Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amoral 
• corrupt 
• crooked 
• dishonest 
• immoral 
• unethical 
• unscrupulous