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
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
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In fact, Evans’ plotline as the corrupt Reverend Drew essentially runs parallel to Qualley’s and the lack of intersection is a curious oversight.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
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According to the minister, high-ranking criminals are able to use their illicit earnings to corrupt officials, and some are able to continue to run their operations from inside prison..—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Venal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venal. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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