Definition of VENAL

Synonyms & Antonyms for venal

Synonyms

Antonyms

Did You Know?

If you are given the choice between acts that are "venal" and those that are "venial," go for the venial. Although the two words look and sound alike, they have very different meanings and histories. "Venal" demonstrates the adage that anything can be had if the price is high enough and the morals are low enough. That word originated with the Latin venum, which simply referred to something that was sold or for sale. Some of those transactions must have been rather shady, because by the mid-1600s, "venal" had gained the sense of corruption it carries today. "Venial" sins, on the other hand, are pardonable, the kind that show that everyone makes mistakes sometimes. That forgiving term descends from "venia," Latin for favor, "indulgence," or "pardon."

Examples of venal in a Sentence

that judge is known for being venal and easily bought

Recent Examples on the Web

Most people within the broad orbit of the Democratic Party are assuming that anger at President Donald Trump and his dysfunctional, venal presidency will give the Dems a boost at the polls come November. — Sarah Jaffe, The New Republic, "A Party Within the Democratic Party," 14 Mar. 2018 Garfield's co-star, Nathan Lane, nabbed a best featured actor statue for his performance as Roy Cohn, a venal power broker who was a mentor to Trump. — NBC News, "Robert De Niro drops the F-bomb on Trump — twice — at Tonys," 11 June 2018 Some of India’s media have venal inclinations, making them prone to bribery by those who want to use them to get their message across. — The Economist, "People in India often despair of their democracy," 31 May 2018 Almost always, the greater question has emerged only from the cover of a more limited and immediate scandal—the way the truth about the American right will be revealed, one venal payoff at a time, from any effective audit of the Trump government. — Kevin Baker, The New Republic, "Why America needs truth and reconciliation after Trump," 17 May 2018 The satire lands on obvious Miami targets — the rich, the shallow, the venal, the felonious, status seekers and zealots of every stripe —and the punches connect with all the subtlety of a storm surge. — miamiherald, "Tom Wolfe’s ‘Back to Blood’ revels in excess — just like Miami | Miami Herald," 19 Oct. 2012 Whether this self-interest is venal or foolish is irrelevant. — Nathaniel Rich, The Atlantic, "The Novel That Asks, ‘What Went Wrong With Mankind?’," 11 May 2018 Portrait of injustice, caste prejudice, and venal politics in contemporary India. $9, 7 Speed members. — Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, "What to do around Louisville this week: Janet Jackson, Santa, speakeasy party & more," 29 Nov. 2017 His success at his new job leads to moral dilemmas and encounters with the company’s venal boss, played by Armie Hammer. — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, "Boots Riley’s and Daveed Diggs’ Oakland films lead alternative summer list," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'venal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.