bribery

noun

brib·​ery ˈbrī-b(ə-)rē How to pronounce bribery (audio)
plural briberies
: the act or practice of giving or taking a bribe

Examples of bribery in a Sentence

They were arrested on charges of bribery.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Getting convicted of bribery in America requires some serious effort—take former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who was convicted of selling influence on behalf of local businesses and the country of Egypt after being caught with gold bars in his house. Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026 An Indiana state bill addressing gratuities that was drafted in response to the bribery case against former Portage Mayor James Snyder was amended and approved in the Senate to remove all language pertaining to gratuities. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026 The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception. Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026 The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception. Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bribery

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bribery was in 1560

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bribery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bribery. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

bribery

noun
brib·​ery ˈbrī-b(ə-)rē How to pronounce bribery (audio)
plural briberies
: the act or practice of bribing

Legal Definition

bribery

noun
brib·​ery
plural briberies
: the crime of giving or taking a bribe

More from Merriam-Webster on bribery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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