as in corruptible
open to improper influence and especially bribery
that judge is known for being venal and easily bought
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of venal
They have also been undermined by myopic or venal leaders who have no interest in long-term global issues and refuse to take the problem seriously.
—
William Nordhaus, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2020
But the military mostly exists on paper: There’s barely a chain of command and officers are notoriously venal.
—Emmet Livingstone, The Dial, 20 Mar. 2025
That entire ecosystem comes after and targets you in the most venal way.
—Milton Guevara, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
Yet, Trump’s words can’t simply be dismissed as venal or his usual hyperbole.
—Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for venal
William Nordhaus, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2020
But the military mostly exists on paper: There’s barely a chain of command and officers are notoriously venal.
—Emmet Livingstone, The Dial, 20 Mar. 2025
That entire ecosystem comes after and targets you in the most venal way.
—Milton Guevara, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
Yet, Trump’s words can’t simply be dismissed as venal or his usual hyperbole.
—Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for venal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venal
corrupt
Adjective
-
Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive first look at the film, which follows Ahmed's Ash, an off-the-grid fixer who brokers deals between whistleblowers and corrupt corporations through a message relay service that maintains anonymity.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
-
Sara’s friend from her secret agent days, Teresa, is also taking matters into her own hands after also losing a loved one to a corrupt system.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Venal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venal. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share