venality

American  

[vee-nal-i-tee, vuh-] / viˈnæl ɪ ti, və- /

noun

1. the condition or quality of being venal; openness to bribery or corruption.

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Etymology

Origin of venality

From the Late Latin word vēnālitas, dating back to 1605–15. See venal, -ity

Explanation

Venality is the quality of being open to bribery or overly motivated by money. A government worker's venality might lead him to exchange state secrets for cash. Criminals are known for their venality, being willing to break the law for a financial reward. This kind of venality can vary from police officers accepting bribes to politicians making decisions and passing laws based on campaign contributions. The Late Latin root word is venalitatem, "capable of being bought," from venum, "for sale."

Example Sentences

More broadly the play is a tart vivisection of human pettiness and venality, as one by one the characters’ prejudices, peccadilloes and blinkered views are exposed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

HBO’s “The Franchise” strives to work all the silliness and venality we’ve come to expect into an up-to-the-minute spoof of superhero IP-making.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2024

There are times when I complete a cartoon and feel as if I did not quite capture the full venality of my target.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2022

He was familiar with the business’s unpredictability, not to mention its venality.

From New York Times • Nov. 19, 2020

Let editors banish all party control and venality from the press and send forth rays of living light that will purify our political and moral atmosphere—then our government will be healthful, vigorous and strong.

From Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by Judson, L. Carroll