Synonyms of venal

venal

adjective

ˈvē-nᵊl 

as in corruptible

open to improper influence and especially bribery

that judge is known for being venal and easily bought

Synonyms & Similar Words

• corruptible
• corrupt
• dirty
• crooked
• corrupted
• mercenary
• purchasable
• bribable
• dishonest
• vicious
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• Machiavellian
• bad
• depraved
• unethical
• immoral
• unmoral
• dissolute
• nefarious
• debased
• cutthroat
• degenerate
• evil
• iniquitous
• perverted
• hack
• debauched
• sleazy
• perverse
• sinful
• wicked
• warped
• degraded
• demoralized
• temptable
• reprobate
• dissipated
• vitiated
• defiled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ethical
• honest
• moral
• incorruptible
• virtuous
• good
• righteous
• scrupulous
• principled
• upright

Example Sentences

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

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