as in corruptible
open to improper influence and especially bribery
that judge is known for being venal and easily bought
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Recent Examples of venal
Bill Nighy plays a venal spycraft master who also is surprisingly good at computer coding.
—
Mark Kennedy,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Even though a lot of what happens in the book borders on the ridiculous because of the behavior of narcissistic selfish venal individuals.
—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Dec. 2025
One argued that what Janis took to be a herd mentality might just as well be seen as deliberate, venal compliance.
—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Berger and Nina Gold cast Tilda Swinton as Cynthia Blithe, the private investigator who tracks him, laser like, to China, with Fala Chen playing Dao Ming, the savvy hostess who sees something behind Doyle’s desperate tactics, and Alex Jennings as an expat of the most venal variety.
—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for venal
Mark Kennedy,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Even though a lot of what happens in the book borders on the ridiculous because of the behavior of narcissistic selfish venal individuals.
—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Dec. 2025
One argued that what Janis took to be a herd mentality might just as well be seen as deliberate, venal compliance.
—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Berger and Nina Gold cast Tilda Swinton as Cynthia Blithe, the private investigator who tracks him, laser like, to China, with Fala Chen playing Dao Ming, the savvy hostess who sees something behind Doyle’s desperate tactics, and Alex Jennings as an expat of the most venal variety.
—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for venal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venal
Adjective
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Trump has tried to curtail mail-in voting by arguing the ballots easily corruptible, despite casting a ballot by mail himself in March.
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Beef’s whole thing is finding the weak, corruptible center of all its characters, and Isaac jumps into that project with enthusiasm.
Adjective
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In reality, leaders on both sides are corrupt and always on the edge of disaster.
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My career actually focuses on bonding and preventing taxpayers from being on the hook for the failures of bankrupt and corrupt companies.
Cite this Entry
“Venal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venal. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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